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INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 4

Tôgatta-kei & Aone style, Kichiya style Produced at Tôgatta Onsen, Aone Onsen, Sendai-shi, umi, and elsewhere ........................................................................................................................... 6

Narugo-kei & Ginzan style ................................................................................................................. 12

Nanbu-kei & Hanamaki style.............................................................................................................. 19

Tsuchiyu-kei -- Nakanosawa style & Sabako style ......................................................................... 25

Kijiyama-kei .......................................................................................................................................... 31

Hijiori-kei & Shûsuke style ................................................................................................................ 36

Ejiko kokeshi ....................................................................................................................................... 41

Sakunami-kei ....................................................................................................................................... 46

Yamagata-kei ....................................................................................................................................... 50

Tsugaru-kei & Owoni style or Tsugaru-Nuruyu strain................................................................... 54

Zaô-kei & Atsumi style or Zaô-Takayu strain................................................................................. 60

Here follows another article ............................................................................................................... 65

Some Q and A on Kokeshi .............................................................................................................. 75

MEANINGS OF SOME KOKESHI PATTERNS. ................................................. 78

SOME KOKESHI MAKERS\ ........................................................................................... 79

Features Spreadsheet ....................................................................................................................... 87

Daruma Dolls ...................................................................................................................................... 91

Some in the sections above includes stuff on Daruma Dolls .......................................................... 91

Daruma doll.......................................................................................................................................... 92

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ............................................................................................. 92

CLASSIC KOKESHI SUMMARY VIEW .................................................................. 103

Japanese Periods ............................................................................................................................. 105

Beautiful Kokeshi Dolls: A Uniquely Japanese Folk Art .......................................................... 106

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INTRODUCTION This Guide is based on the following article and lots of images I have got from the internet. It is for my personal study use only. Do not reproduce it in any way.

The articles in this guide contain both repetition and contrary views, which the reader will have to resolve themselves.

It should be read in conjunction with the published book Kokeshi. Wooden Treasures of Japan. Evans and Wolf (Available direct from authors) This is quite the best book in English that I am aware of.

(Northern Japan Traditional Kokeshi)

Variations on a Theme

Article by Shirlee Funk Ningyo Journal, Early Winter 2003 Here are the “Ten” families of dolls.

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The “Ten Families” have different interpretations by different authors. I find this quite confusing at times. I hope that as I learn it will sort itself out in my mind.

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Tôgatta-kei & Aone style, Kichiya style Produced at Tôgatta Onsen, Aone Onsen, Sendai-shi, umi, and elsewhere

One of the most common and easily identified strains of traditional kokeshi, the Tôgatta-kei is also be the oldest. Early ones were chlldren's toys. Though not soft and cuddly, children used to treat them like babies, carrying them onbu, in back carriers.

Most Tôgatta have a straight columnar body that tapers to the neck. The heads are large, in a slightly blocky shape. Some have heads that widen toward the top. Heads are attached to the body in a squeeze-in joint.

The most identifiable characteristic of Tôgatta-kei are the red radial lines painted on top the heads, in a circular array of red petals, like a chrysanthemum flower, centered on the green spot at the top of the divided bangs. These red ornaments, called tegara, are echoed by the array of red streaks fanned out below the bangs down both sides of the face behind the tufts of hair. Varying from short rays that merge together, to rather long ones, nearly every Tôgatta has them.

A story tells how one of the early kiji-ya craftsmen had seen a Kyo ningyô, impressive with her rich, brocade kimono, her refined face, and the many ornaments in her soft hair. The painted array he added to his kokeshi heads was his version, meant to show the village children the proud, refined beauty of the Kyoto figure.

Most Tôgatta have a ware-bana, or split nose, though some have the neko-bana, or cat nose. The eyes are slightly arched double lid eyes. This seems to convey good humor, especially with the simple, slightly curved mouths.

Bodies are often painted with kasanegiku, the stylized layers of chrysanthemums. Others have layered plum flowers on the body. In larger pieces, flowers may be painted on the back.

A less common painted body design is the edaume, a painted a branch of plum flowers, with the "V" of a kimono collar painted just below the neck. Some Tôgatta have bodies painted in the rokura technique, creating circular bands painted on the body while still on the lathe. Most rare of body decorations is the painted version of a wood-grain pattern, called mokume.

Tôgatta craftsman shared their techniques with those at other spas, so Tôgatta style has been influential throughout the Tohoku region. Other strains use tegara-like decorations and kasanegiku-style flowers on their bodies, for instance.

A variation on the standard Tôgatta style, begun in the 1950s, uses traditional body painting patterns, except that the body is colored yellow before the designs are painted on. This is the Togatta Kichiya

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style, named for the family shop where this style began. Since these have a profusion of chrysanthemums painted on the body, they are colorful, almost flamboyant, even while painted with traditional designs otherwise.

A branch style of the Tôgatta-kei is made at the Aone Onsen, about 15 minutes drive away. This group lacks the chrysanthemum-petal pattern. Instead, these have the rounded petals of the plum flower on top the head and on the body front.

In the 1960s, Tôgatta craftsman founded the Tôgatta Kiji Union, a cooperative that was able to gain rights for wood use from the Japanese Ministry of Forestry. Thus, the kiji-ya could concentrate on production. To their dismay, younger craftsman began using this reserved wood to create modern kokeshi. Still enough craftsman continue the Tôgatta style that they are easily found by collectors in an interesting range of variations.

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Togatta-kei Kokeshi Above photo: Charles Mayer collection. Below Funk collection.

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Kokeshi from Togatta (Toogatta

Togatta is maybe the most ancient birthplace of Kokeshi. The Nihon Kokeshi-Kan (Japanese Kokeshi Museum) in Naruko, the Kokeshi-no-Sato (Home of Kokeshi) and the Miyagi Zao Kokeshi-Kan (Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Museum) in Togatta displays the dolls. Kokeshi artisans perform workshops at Kokeshi-no-Sato, allowing you to watch the kokeshi making process.

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Narugo-kei & Ginzan style Produced at Narugo Onsen, Ginzan Onsen, Hanamaki-shi, and other places

Naru is "sound" or "cry," and ko is "child." Thus, naruko is "crying child:' It's no surprise, then, that the Naruko kokeshi "cries" when her head is turned.

To do this, the head stub is forced into a hole in the top of the body while it turns on the lathe, using the force and heat of friction. As the wood shrinks and cools, the shape of the stub and the hole change enough that they cannot come apart. The tolerance is just tight enough that the wood rubs together when the head is turned, and it squeaks in protest. Those who are poetic call it a "nightingale voice." Of course, if it is turned too much, the joint wears, and it looses its voice.

The most prolific of all dento styles, the Naruko (more properly pronounced "Narugo" in the compound form) kokeshi is also one of the earliest. It has influenced other strains, such as the Hijiori and Hanamakl strains, as well as the Owani style of the Tsugaru strain.

Narugo kokeshi originated sometime in the Edo period at the Narugo Onsen. One of the most popular hotspring resorts in Tohoku, it's not surprising that these souvenirs flourished. Currently, more than 125 craftsmen help produce this style. No wonder there is a kokeshi festival focused on Narugo every September. Each year the best kokeshi from the Narugo festival are added to the collection of the kokeshi museum near Narugo, the Nippon Kokeshi-kan, which was started by kokeshi enthusiast Kaname Fukazawa.

Narugo onsen has a long history of wood craftsman, who made lacquerware as well as plain woodwork. The kiji-shi had long made toys for children, and their kokeshi were also made originally for children. Visitors to the resort purchased the figures as talismans for their own children.

The Narugo body seems the most quintessential dento style, solid and stable, slightly concave at the waist, with definite shoulders. A special planing technique called uterakashi was developed to help shape the bodies. The neatly rounded heads are just slightly ovoid. They are about the same width as the shoulders, so the proportioning has a secure, classic feel.

The painting of the heads also follows a standard pattern. The curve of the bangs follows the curve of the eyebrows. The side tufts of hair generally have three brush strokes. The pattern on top the head has a central black tuft or ponytail, artfully curved like a flourish in caillgraphy. On either side of this are red tegara patterns, somewhat variable in style, but also with calligraphic flair. Perhaps this style of ribbon-like ornamentation was borrowed from mizuhiki designs used on gosho from Kyoto.

The faces are understated, with small features that include single-lidded eyes and neko-bana noses. The lips are small, made with two minimal touches of the brush. Only red, black, and green color have been used

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on Narugo, though a few have the base colored yellow before the motifs are added. Very recent ones may have purple.

It is in decorating the Narugo body that the artfully wielded brush flourishes. Some are decorated with tsubaki (camellia,) with momiji (maple leaves,) and rarely, with ayame (iris) or botan (peony) flowers. Most common are the many variations on chrysanthemums. Some are double blooms, some are shown from the side, with a central curled petal, some are in a style called "waterwheel" chrysanthemums. These designs are wonderfully diverse and exaggerated in a variety of ways, such as vertical distortion, or near-abstraction. One, two, or many blooms are used to fill the front space of the kokeshi body creatively. All this style adds up, so that the Narugo kokeshi has been labeled the most sophisticated.

At Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata, a branch of Narugo style was born. The Ginzan Onsen kokeshi have a very similar shape to other Narugo, but are made from one piece of wood, so they have no squeaking neck joint. Instead, they have a definite neck and a unique face. Painted with wide open eyes, they look more ingenue than other Narugo. They have thick bobbed hair, with an open spot at the top and no other hair ornaments. The bodies are painted with naturally styled daisy-like chrysanthemums.

Somehow, the Ginzan Onsen kokeshi have also come to be associated with a girl named Oshin from a television show. She was the heroine of a drama about a silver mining community. This show was popular with the public, and some contend that this kokeshi was created in her honor.

Another creation of the Narugo kiji-shi was the seated version, called nemariko. This is the shape used by kiji-ya who have created the very rare hina dento kokeshi sets where the hina figures are meant to be seated.

Nemariko figures are somewhat bell-shaped and short, not unlike the wooden ejikofigures, (see p. 17) except that nemariko are tapered at the shoulder. The heads are painted like miniature versions of larger kokeshi, and the bodies are painted with simplified motifs like those used on standing kokeshi: one maple leaf or flower, for instance.

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Kokeshi from Nurugu These kokeshi dolls originate in the hot spring area of Kuroishi City and are the most famous of Aomori prefecture. At the beginning of the Taisho Era (1911-1925), Hidetaroo Mori 盛秀太郎began making these dolls in the "Nuruyu Onsen" area, which enjoy a deep-rooted popularity even now. There are many types of kokeshi dolls in the Tohoku region, and the Nuruyu stand out from amongst the rest with their "Ainu" patterns, including the upturned eyebrows and menacing "Daruma" faces, painted on the body, as well as the wide chest and rounded waists. The designs on the body of the dolls are also said

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to be of the Tsugaru clan’s family crest, featuring the peony. Currently, kokeshi doll artisans have gathered together to form the "Tsugaru Kokeshi Artisans Group," which focuses on continuing to create traditional, and new types, of dolls.

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Nanbu-kei & Hanamaki style Also called Nanbu-Hanamaki strain Produced at Hanamaki-shi, Morioka-shi, Miyako-shi

At first glance, some of these kokeshi look like Togatta kokesi. But the earliest ones were very different Called kina-kina, they were pacifiers for babies. Unpainted, with satin smooth surfaces, they were generally small, for the chubby hands of babies to grasp. Several shapes of kina-kina continue to be made, now in somewhat larger sizes. These have been called Kikuriooko, or, "Child of Wood." Some have loose neck joints, so the heads are wobbly, not unlike a small baby.

Gradually, some Nanbu kokeshi have had a bit of paint added, while retaining the shape of the kina-kina figures. Such Nanbu have simple painted faces, and may have color caps on their heads, and just a few simple lines of decoration on the body. The rest is left unpainted.

A few other styles of Nanbu have also developed, but are not common. Some have been made with peonies painted on the body, and circular lines. A very few are made with a slightly tapered body and a stationary head. These have painted kasanegiku, in stylized patterns.

At the same spa, Hanamaki Onsen, painted kokeshi developed, too, with influence from the Togatta and Narugo styles. Most Hanamaki style kokeshi have bodies similar to the Narugo shape. Nearly all are made with a snap-on head that is not tightly fitted, so that it is loose in the socket. Thus, these are the only dento kokeshi which are "nodders." Heads are nearly spherical, with a black janome ring painted on top.These have a few red "petal" streaks painted straight back from the side tufts of hair, reminiscent of the Togatta style

An insert included with a Hanamaki kokeshi said: "Origin of the Hanamaki Kokeshi DolI-- The Hanamaki Kokeshi doll was first created by woodworkers located in the mountains of the Tohoku region of Japan, particularly close to the city of Hanamaki. They saw an opportunity to begin selling the dolls to many visitors of the surrounding natural hot spring resorts. The original Nanbu Kokeshi doll which was made by these craftsmen at the time had the characteristic of a head that swiveled. Furthermore, the doll was often used as a type of pacifier for children. Particular to the Hanamaki area, the name'Kikuriboko', or, 'Child of Wood' was often used to refer to this particular doll. The style and shape of the Kokeshi of today is much different than the original Kokeshi doll. For instance, the original Kokeshi doll was only about 4-7 inches high and was the color of plain wood. The Kokeshi of modem times now averages a standing height of anywhere from 6-20 inches. In addition, the Kokeshi are now decorated and painted in an array of fabulous colors for the purpose of display."

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Southern Hanamaki Kokeshi

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） (Iwate Prefecture) Hanamaki, Morioka, Tono, 横川目, Miyako, 一No関 ） Inset expression dizzy head is moving (Kinakinaoboko) Shiraki, often with no pattern that has shaped the face and body is similar to 遠刈田 Workers: Takahashi Kinzou /? ？ ? 真祠 True Shrine

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Tsuchiyu-kei -- Nakanosawa style & Sabako style Some call these Nanaosawa dolls.

Produced at Tsuchiyu Onsen, Nakanosawa Onsen, etc. Many kiji-ya use the rokura moyo technique to paint lines and bands around the circumference of their kokeshi. Some Tôgatta craftsmen even decorate the whole body with circular bands in varying colors. The craftsmen who have taken the technique of painting the body while still on the lathe to an extraordinary level are those of the Tsuchiyu-kei, who use a technique called kaeshi rokura or "reverse turning" to paint lines that spiral slightly, or reverse direction to double-back. This skillful, artistic lathe-painting is the hallmark of the Tsuchiyu style.

It used to be that only simple black lines were used on the bodies. An increasing number of colors were added, along with an increasing variety of lines and thickness of lines. Patterns of flowers and abstract patterns began to be interspersed with the lines. Sometimes zig-zag colored lines are painted over top the rokura lines. Craftsmen also use the slight bleeding of the color into the wood as a part of the aesthetic affect. This bleeding, which varies with the thinness of the paint, and the absorption of the wood, softens the color and gives a more rustic character to the figure.

Most Tsuchiyu bodies are slender, tapering toward the top, though some have a wide base and a fattened middle. Heads are oval or rounded, often wider than the body, which tapers into the gooseneck joint.

Most heads are topped with a wide ring, or concentric rings of black, though sometimes the rings are painted green or purple. The center is not painted, making a snake's eye, or janome top. The hair is painted in bangs and side tufts, with patterns of red curving lines in between, called kess. A variety of double-lid eyes may be used, including a special slanted one called kujira-me, or whale's eye. Most noses are maru-bana (round nose,) tare-bana (drooping nose,) or naga-bana (long nose.)

Production of kokeshi in the Tsuchiyu style probably began in the 1840s, with the work of Sakuma Kamegoro, a kiji-shi who had made various wood items for visitors to the Tsuchiyu Onsen. Such items had not been painted, but on a visit to the Ise Shrine, he was inspired by painted items for sale there, and took home the idea, which he used in making his kokeshi. His grandson developed the Tsuchiyu style as it is now used.

Across a mountain pass from Tsuchiyu Onsen is Nakanosawa. Dancer Iwamoto Zenkichi, who settled there in the 1920s, created a rather shocking kokeshi based on a papier mache dance figure he had used in performance. Before long, people became interested in this striking, odd style of kokeshi, and humorously nicknamed it Taka Bozo (octopus with a shaven monk's head.) His son, Iwamoto Yoshizô, carried on production after his father's early death, but he also died young. A group of craftsmen who were charmed

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by this very unusual kokeshi founded the Taka Bozo-kei to carry on the Nakanosawa style, which is also called the Zenkichi type, after the creator.

Nakanosawa style figures are indeed very striking. They have enlarged surprised eyes, called bikkuri-me, and also a flared nose called shishi-bana: lion's nose. The most distinctive aspect is the circle of pink blush that surrounds the eyes on most newer kokeshi. Some say this was inspired by ukiyo-e prints. The blush ranges from a delicate pink to a cherry red.

The big heads of Nakanosawa are usually topped by janome rings. The bodies may be painted in several ways, somewhat like other Tsuchiyu, with various rakura lines. Some are dominated by lush, open peony blooms, or other flowers. Gossip said that the bold peonies that Zenkichi first painted on these kokeshi were taken from tattoo patterns used by geisha.

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Kijiyama-kei Produced in Kijiyama, Inagawa-machi, and elsewhere

Kiji-ya are the wood-craftsmen who first produced kokeshi as a sideline. Some of these men lived far in the mountains, yama, the source for their wood. Thus, the name Kijiyama might be translated as "wood-craft mountain." The actual location of Kijiyama is so remote that it was inaccessible in the harsh winter months. Many of the kokeshi makers left and settled in the less remote area of Kawazura, now part of Inagawa-machi. Some suggest that the dignified, lonely look on the faces of Kijiyama kokeshi reflects the lonesome past of their birthplace.

In spite of the slightly sad look some of these kokeshi have, they are very appealing, and sought after for their well-defined style. They wear kimono in several distinctive patterns, and are one of the less common strains found.

All of them now are turned in one piece, though the early ones were made with jointed head and body. The heads tend to be slightly elongated and the bodies are columnar, tapered at the shoulders to a definite neck. The heads are about the same width as the body. Some Kijiyama have bobbed hair styles, others have side tufts and bangs, with a red bow tied at the top. The eyes may be halfmoon shaped or narrower, usually with small neko-bana noses. Lips are a small black line with a red dot below. This simple face looks more generic than some other styles.

This strain is painted in the most realistic style of all the dento kokeshi. Most Kijiyama girls wear painted kimono in red and black with light touches of green. Three styles of kimono predominate, most with the long sleeves of girl-hood. The striped kimono is painted with a matching striped obi. Another popular kimono style has a maedare, or apron design, outlined in front, painted with a kasuri pattern called igata. Umebachi, or bowl-shaped plum blossoms are painted on the front of the third kimono style, with stripes painted down the top and shoulders. Other styles of kimono are painted with flower motifs, such as chrysanthemums. Some older ones are styled with a high-waists and V-necks, without sleeves outlines.

The kimono style of body painting is not the oldest kind of Kijiyama made. The first Kijiyama kokeshi, made near the end of the Meiji period, were modeled on Narugo kokeshl. Some modern Kijiyama-kei are stiil painted with stylized chrysanthemums, somewhat like Narugo, but without the shoulders on the body and without the painted rings. Instead, the flowered Kijiyama have an understated air, and a sense that the body is simply a circular canvas for the artist to paint lovely, flowing flower blooms in red and green. These may also be palnted on the back, with a stylized plum blossom. For those painted without a full bobbed hairstyle, the back of the head is almost bare --except for a small tuft of black above the nape of the neck.

The first kimono-style Kijiyama was painted by a craftsman in the early Showa period. This set the distinctive style for this family of kokeshi, but it also may have set the stage for the proliferatlon of modern kokeshi after the war, since elaborately painted, life-like, colorful kimono became the hallmark of kindai kokeshi

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Hijiori-kei & Shûsuke style Produced at Hijiori Qnsen, and Sendai-shi

The strain of kokeshi produced by the fewest craftsmen, the Hijiori-kei may be the most vivid. Plainly influenced by Narugo style, with a straight, columnar body and shoulders, this strain also has some characteristics of the Tôgatta style, particularly the blocky, large heads, and the petal-like red lines painted back from the sides of the face.

Hijiori were first developed by Shûsuke Safa, who moved from Tôgatta to the Hijiori spa, which is surrounded by the enduring presence of the "Dewa Sanzan" (three mountains in the Dewa area.)

Heads of the Hijiori kokeshi are large on their slender bodies, so they could be called zudai kokeshi: big-headed kokeshi. Heads are stub-jointed to the body. These blocky heads have sophisticated faces, with full, curved red lips. Some have a naga-bana nose, and noticeably arched double-lidded eyes under arched brows.

The Shûsuke style are especially distinctive, with full, open, curved lips. On this style, the corners of the double-lidded eyes are not connected, adding an exotic look. Their noses are more delicate and detailed as well, with nostril curves.

The thick hair is painted as a full curve around the face on the Shûsuke style, even though it stops beyond that. The top of the head is painted with a thick, red double bow, the loops filled in with green. On others, the hair has three sections, separated by tegara-style red radial lines, which also cover part of the top of the head.

The bodies are colorful, since they are first painted yellow before flower patterns are added in bright red and green. On the Shûsuke style, the stylized chrysanthemums are divided by an obi in purple and red. These chrysanthemums also are painted all around the body. On others, flowers such as a cluster of fringed pinks (carnations) are painted only on the front. Or, like their Tôgatta grandmothers, a dense stack of kasanegiku are painted down the front.

Relatively few Hijiori are made. Because they are so distinctive and attractive, they can be more expensive.

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Kokeshi from Hijiori

The Hijiori design was developed in the Hijiori Hot Spring resort in Okura Village. The main colors for decoration are yellow, red and green and the eyes are carefully modelled. The Togatta design was combined with the Naruko design to produce the distinctive Hijiori Kokeshi. This design presently has the least number of the artisans. However, Shoichi, a third generation artisan, is creating ambitious pieces in Sendai. His inspiration comes from the master craftsman, Shusuke Sato, who was from Togatta and said to be the originator of Hijiori Kokeshi, and the second generation Minosuke.

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Ejiko kokeshi In the days when all the hands in the family were needed in the farm fields at certain times of the year, a family kept their infant safe by wrapping him in quilts and setting the bundled baby in an izumeko basket at the edge of the field. These baskets, once used to store cooked rice in the Yamagata region, held the baby safely. This inspired a folk toy showing the basket bundle with a doll figure in it. Considered fertility charms for numerous descendants, and happy family life, these figures were called ejiko as well as izumeko.

Kokeshi craftsman have been creating such figures out of lathe-turned wood. The wide base of these figures mimics the basket, topped by a head that is painted like the craftsman's other kokeshi. Characteristic motifs decorate the "basket" part. This is the ejiko kokeshi. Some craftsman cut the top to make a lid and hollow the base for a small container which could also be called obunko-kokeshi. A more recent variation has been made with head and shoulders that rotate in the body, made much like a ball-and-socket joint.

Not all strains of dento kokeshi have been made as ejiko, but many have. Currently one can find ejiko in the style of Narugo, Tôgatta, Yajirô, Zaô, and Tsuchiyu strains along with some of the Nakanosawa sub-strain. Some are turned on the lathe with special details, such as a "chatter" technique used on some Narugo ejiko, which creates a slightly corrugated surface

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Yajirô-kei

Produced at Yajira village

Sold at Kamasaki Onsen and other places

Those seeking very colorful dento kokeshi should look at the rainbow-colored Yajiro kokeshi, whose artists not only use red, green, black, and yellow, but also purple and blue. Much of the color is used to paint circular bands on the bodies, but chrysanthemum petals are also painted in a variety of colors, sometimes with only half the flower showing.

Of all strains of kokeshi, Yajirô may also show the widest range in body shapes. Though many are columnar in shape, most tend to be broader at the base. Some have narrow shoulders or narrow waists. Others may have a swollen upper body combined with one of the other variations.

The heads are either ball shaped or blocky, attached to the body with a squeezed-in joint called sashikomi. Several colors may be used on the heads to paint circular beret patterns on top of the heads. Some have a broad black bun on top. Like nearly all Yajirô, this has a red center spot. A very few have suge-gasa --conical hats on top their heads.

Most Yajirô have a single-lid eye and a neko-bana nose, though a bachi-bana (drumstick) style or a tancho-bana (simple) nose has also been used. Some have red petal streaks painted behind the tufts of hair to the sides of the face, not unlike the Togatta style. A few have painted ears instead.

Though most bodies are decorated with lathe-painted circular bands, some have a plum branch on the front, or semicircles of chrysanthemum petals. Some have the painted collar of a kimono, along with the lower opening of the kimono at the bottom. Some even have vertical stripes for a kimono skirt painted on the lower part.

Yajirô-machi was once only a farming village, between two tall mountains. The kiji-shi divided their time between farming and wood-craft. Those who made kokeshi in their spare time sent their wives to the nearby Kamasaki Onsen to sell their work to tourist shops. It was well past the middle of the 20th century before craftsmen could afford to make kokeshi as a full-time occupation there.

Yajirô kokeshi have been made from cherry wood, camellia and maple, but the preferred wood is white dogwood, mizuki. The craftsmen have long harvested their own wood, cutting mizuki from the end of autumn through the winter. After the bark has been stripped, the logs are stored in an upside-down position to dry, to prevent sprouting, which persists even in such harsh conditions. Many feel that the indomitable spirit of the trees creates an invincible spirit in these kokeshi.

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Kokeshi from Yajiro Yajiro Kokeshi are produced mainly in the village of Yajiro located about 1 km west of the Kamasaki Hot Spring of Shiroishi Town. They have their origin with Togatta Kokeshi. Today in Yajiro, the people live as half farmer and half artisan, farming the land from early spring to autumn and striving to produce Kokeshi from late autumn to spring when the icy chill moves off the river.

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Sakunami-kei Some link these together as Sakumami/Yamagatta others make them separate families.

Produced at Sakunami Onsen and Sendai-shi

More than any other strain of dento kokeshi, Sakunami were considered companions for children. Originally, they were small and very slender, meant to be held by srnall hands when these children were strapped to their mothers' backs. With disproportionately large heads, these kokeshi were obviously not meant to stand, but to be held.

Over time, this unstable form changed. Broader bases were added to some, and the bodies also became thicker. Some still look top-heavy, tapered to narrow "ankles" just above a wider flair, or a platform base.

Begun in the early Meiji period, this style developed, not at a spa, but in the town of Sendai. Later, craftsmen began producing this strain at the Sakunami Onsen, right on the border between Miyagi and Yamagata prefectures. Thus, a branch began to be produced in Yamagata, too. The Yamagata strain is considered separately in this article, though many class it together with the Sakunami strain as one family.

Most Sakunami are painted only in red and green with black. Lathe-painted lines usually ring the top and bottom of the body, with stylized floral patterns in between. On the tapered-body versions, much of the red painting has been done with a wide, soft brush, so the design less detailed.

This is true for the decorations on the heads, too, where a characteristic black ponytail streaks across the top of the head-- with a sort of wide red bow spread above the divided bangs. The Togatta-style red streaks curving away from the forehead and down behind the ears are so wide on those heads with tapered bodies, that the streaks blend together. These heads that are broader at the top, slightly tapered toward the bottom. The eyes are usually single-lidded and the noses are ware-bana (split) style.

Other Sakunami have big, blocky heads with broad tufts of black hair at the sides. The eyes for this style have a single curved upper lid, and noses that may be a tear-drop shaped. Those in this big-headed group also have straight column bodies, which are painted on the top and bottom with bands of red and black. On these, the decorated mid-section is so abstracted that it's hard to say it's floral.

The Sakunami group shows one of the very distinctive features of these kokeshi: the use of mizuki, a white dogwood grown just over the border in Yamagata. There, the harsh, cold winds that blow off the sea slow the growth of the trees so that the fibers are very dense. This wood is prized for the fine grain and its very pale color. The craftsman who make these Sakunami kokeshi use only this locally grown wood. Enhancing its unique beauty has become a hallmark of their work.

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Kokeshi from Sakunami Sakunami Kokeshi have a relatively short history, and is considered that they were first produced in the early Meiji era. They are quite slender, so that children can hold them easily.

http://hb2.seikyou.ne.jp/home/g-136/yamagatamain.htm

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Yamagata-kei Produced at Yamagata-shi, Yonezawa-shi, and elsewhere

Two Kobayashi family craftsman who originally trained to make Sakunami kokeshi moved to Yamagata City nearby, taking their craft with them. But they created kokeshi with enough differences that some have called their style a different strain, the Yamagata-kei.

Yamagata have columnar bodies with large blocky heads. Most have lathe-painted bands at the top and bottom. In between the bands, the main part of the bodies are decorated with fully opened plum flowers. For the flower motif, only red and dark green are used. Sometimes the plum blossoms are several in a stack, sometimes in a profusion of smaller flowers painted on the front, sometimes the plum flowers are stylized. Rarely, the flowers are cherry, but a few are painted with a totally different motif, a crab-like chrysanthemum design, called kanibana (crab flower.)

The heads are broader on top, and taper in to the neck. Some are even flat on top. They are jointed with a gooseneck to the body. Painted somewhat like Sakunami, the heads have a narrow black ponytail across the top. In some cases, it is not banded by a loose red bow, but by sort of red coronet with wide curving ends. A few of those with kanibana designs on the body have a red beret on top their heads.

In rare cases, Yamagata kokeshi have wood hats shaped like suge-gasa, the conical sedge hats. These hats are painted similarly to the body.

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Yamagata Kokeshi

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（） (Yamagata, Miyagi) Sendai, Sakunami, Yamagata, Yonezawa, Tendo, Yachi, Sagae Work in body neck is relatively thin, plug-in or similar to is a chrysanthemum type Sakunami Sendai, Yamagata pattern is often broken nose plum 一 Workers: Suzuki Shiyoozi / Soekawa Hazime

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Tsugaru-kei & Owoni style or Tsugaru-Nuruyu strain Produced at Kuroishi-nuruyu Onsen, Owani-machi, and Hirosaki-shi

The youngest of all the strains of dento kokeshi, Tsugaru-kei developed after adults took an interest in buying more kokeshi as souvenirs of their trips to the hot-spring resorts. The style originated at the Nuruyu ("lukewarm") Resort, of Kuroishi City, Aomon-ken, so they are sometimes called "Nuruyu strain." Tsugaru was the feudal name for this area. Before Meiji reforms, the craftsmen of this region were controlied by the ruling feudal lord. In the Taisho period, Hidetaro Mori began production of this kokeshi style, using the peony motif, taken from the crest of the Tsugaru daimyô, to decorate his figures.

Since these were targeted at early kokeshi collectors, there is a somewhat broader range of style, with more variation in body shapes. Some are "wasp-waisted" with full upper bodies, some are more columnar, some are flared above, but taper slightly below. All are unjointed, turned from one piece of wood, except for those of a style variation from the Owani Onsen. Most have circular painting on the upper and lower body, but these rings may be interspersed with curvilinear designs which are attributed to Ainu motifs.

Vividly painted in bright colors of red, black, yellow, green and purple, the bodies include graphic designs of Daruma-san, and realistic painted flowers, mostly iris, peony, or camellia. A few designs are said to be taken from the floats of the Nebuta summer festival of Aomori Prefecture. [see Ningyo Journal 8:3, p. 8] The Nebuta-style Daruma face is popular.

The heads are round, some with a "bun" on top. They have a bobbed hairstyle with bangs, and often a round spot on top the head. Though the hair is solidly black, the individual brush strokes are evident at the edges. The facial features are not very standard. The noses can be a black dot, a cat-nose, a round nose, or a drumstick nose. Most eyes are a variety of two-lidded styles, but a very distinct style, that seems to have no specific name has been used by just a couple of artists. I call this the "streak-eye" style, which could be called suji-me.

A derivative of the Tsugaru-kei is the Owani style. These kokeshi are shaped more like Narugo-kei, but have realistic flowers, in singles or a cluster, on the body. The head and hairstyle are like other Tsugaru, but the eyes are slightly wider, or are solid black, called tsubushi-me.

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Tsuguru

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Tsugaru Kokeshi

（） (Aomori) Hot water, Ohata, Hirosaki, Oowani 作Kimono shaped head and torso of the paint to draw a wheel or a wheel barrel to put a small black bobbed hair makes the picture Nebuta (peony, snowman, etc.) and the Ainu patterns slender body, spreading foot Workers: Mori Hidetarou / Akira now

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Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 9.5". This is an example of kokeshi from Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture on the main island of Honshu. It is classified as "Tsugaru-kei", Tsugaru being the old name for this region, with a lesser classification of "Nuruyu," the hot spring area where many Aomori kokeshi artisans are located. It was made by Satou Yoshiki, who was born on September 26th, 1959 (Showa 24.) It is signed by the artisan, which the additional notation "Sensei (Teacher) Satou Zenji." Satou Zenji was Yoshiki's father, and a well-known kokeshi craftsman in a lineage of father-to-son kokeshi makers. He was born in 1925, and passed away on June 30th, Showa 60 (1985.) The shape of Aomori kokeshi is unique among the various styles, with the hourglass-shaped figure. The dotted banding around the shoulders are reminiscent of the tatoo designs of the Ainu people, who once populated this region, but have long since been relegated further north to the island of Hokkaido. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

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Zaô-kei & Atsumi style or Zaô-Takayu strain Produced at Zaô Onsen, Yamagata-shi, Yonezawa-shi, and Atsumi-machi

Zaô was a prosperous resort at the end of the 19th century, with four souvenir shops. But no one was producing kokeshi there for visitors to buy. A tofu seller went to Aone, where a branch of Togatta kokeshi were made, and begged a craftsman there to send some of his men to Zaô. Two responded to this appeal, and production of a Zaô style began in 1890. Other kokeshi craftsmen from other areas came before long, working for the various souvenir shops. Craftsmen for the four shops began competing with each other, and thus helped to develop a distinctive Zaô style quickly. It was based in part on the work of Akiyama Keichiro, though the influence of Togatta style is evident, with hints of Tsuchiyu influence and Yamagata influence.

Generally, Zaô kokeshi have a thick body, tapered to the neck, with a stub-jointed round head. Some have a slightly curvy body with a base similar to Yamagata, painted with rings. Most often, the bodies are lavishly decorated with stylized cherry blossoms or kasanegiku in dense layers. On some, the style of flowers looks wind-blown. A yellow tinted body is sometimes used as a base for the paint. On top their heads, Zaô have a red crab-like tegara pattern. Sometimes the side tufts of hair are curved toward the cheeks. The noses are split, round, or long. Some noses are tear-drop shaped.

Within the Zaô strain, the Atsumi style developed at Atsumi Onsen, on the sea coast in Yamagata. Here, elements of Tsuchiyu and Yamagata styles were incorporated by Abe Tsunematsu, who lived first in Tsuchiyu, then trained in Aone, finally settling in Atsumi. The Atsumi hairstyle is like Yamagata, the nose is like Tsuchiyu. Atsumi tend to have broader shoulders, and most are decorated with a shoulder band that includes a red scalloped line, edged by straight lines. The eyes are wide open and wide-set. They have naga-bana noses and tiny mouths.

The Atsumi dolls are more distinctive than other Zaô, whose characteristics make them hard to distinguish from certain other strains. Zaô are among the least common styles, so it's worthwhile to look for those that are identified as Zaô. They make a varied group.

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Here follows another article

about the dolls. It does not seem to follow the “Famlies” approach in the same way as some main stream writers do.

Kokeshi from Hirosaki 弘前こけし

The name “Tsugaru Kokeshi” refers to all dolls produced in Kuroishi City, Owani Town, and Hirosaki City. During the Meiji Era (1867-1911), wood carvers from the Tsugaru area met with those from outside of the prefecture, and from those meetings, the kokeshi doll has become what it is today. The Hirosaki kokeshi doll is grouped in with the Tsugaru kokeshi, which stemmed originally from the Owani kokeshi, which is still produced today. Along with Kokeshi dolls, top making and Daruma figurine production are among the popular woodcrafts, loved by people of the Tsugaru region. http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/h-kokeshi.htm (日本語)

Kokeshi from Owani 大鰐温泉こけし

At the beginning of the Meiji Era (1867-1911), artisans living in the Nuruyu Onsen area, where the origin of the Tsugaru kokeshi doll lies, moved to the Owani Onsen area, where they began sawing lumber, which they eventually made into kokeshi dolls during the

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Taisho Era (1911-1925). Owani Kokeshi dolls are broad-shouldered, with a straight and slender body, on which an iris pattern is painted. The dolls have an innocent expression, evoking a feeling of warmth. The "zuguri" (tops) were first produced at the same time as the kokeshi dolls, and these colourful toys were much-loved by the children of the northern country. http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/owani.htm

Kokeshi are traditional Northeast

。 Kokeshi was born not too long from now 120-30 years ago, but was sold at souvenir shops in the spa as a tool 手遊Bi children are said to spread throughout the Northeast.

Below is an attempt to describe the characteristics oif each of the Kokeshi in their area. However the rule are broken from time to time but these are still the main (probably traditional) characteristics.

Mountain Kiji

（ (Akita) , Yuzawa, Kubo, 小安 The cylinder head is fitted style bangs and red 手絡 (distinguished service) Shallots shaped head and wearing a kimono apron, the bottom of a flat crescent, round nose body slightly broadest afar Workers: Onodera Masanori / Ogura Kyuutarou

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Hijiori Kokeshi

） (Fukushima) Tang Sat, Kawamata, Iizaka, Fukushima, Takeshi, Nakanosawa, Tokyo ） Work in body neck swollen head plug is slightly tapered at the center of annular pattern, red shackles on both sides of big bangs (skein) 」 Red, black, green, and those thin blue Nakanosawa wheel pattern is known as "shaved octopus" Workers: Saitou Tokuzyu / Sato Tosh iaki I have lost the text for this below left!

(Yamagata) Hijiori, Sendai, Iwaki A pebble in your neck and head into work in the plug, cylinder head and shoulders pattern Nadeshiko straight and tight to the sound wave is superimposed Chrysanthemum 遠刈田, the body is similar to Naruko Workers: Shoichi Sato / Suzuki Kazuyuki

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Ou Takazou Kokeshi

（ (Yamagata) High water, 双月, 上No山, Yamagata, Onogawa, Atsumi, Shakado, temple, Tendo, Tsuruoka

Work in body neck is thick plug, and a large crown of the radial head and torso superimposed red chrysanthemums, cherry breaking pattern double eyelids, nose dripping Workers: Kazuo Akiyama / Sanshiro Ishiyama

(Miyagi) , Akiho, Nozoki, Yumoto, Yuda, Shiraishi, Noboribetsu ） Plug does not work in your neck (which is also built into rare) Big head, bulging torso is loose chrysanthemum thin layered, wood, break down cherry, plum-shaped eyebrows and Mikazuki, nose broken Workers: Yusuke Sato Nirou Akira

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Naruko Kokeshi

（ (Miyagi) Naruko, Atsumi, Tsuruoka, Hanamaki, Kanayama, Hiraizumi, house holidays, Akiho, Sakunami, Sendai, Shiraishi Inset neck expressions, body rings and the Kii Kii chrysanthemum thin layers are primed in the middle of the curved, maple, patterned Workers: Okazaki Yasuo / Takashi Kakizawa Eternal

Wataru Zirou Kokeshi

(Miyagi) Wataru Zirou, Sendai, Kamisato, thermohaline, linen, Atami, Onogawa, Iizaka, Yugawa, Takasaki, Obara, where sickle, Shiraishi, Teshikaga Work in body neck plug directly in the crown of most body fat Haya Hutoshi wheel wheel pattern, flower, butterfly-shaped, large yellow area Workers: Etsuko Kamada / Defense ivy

Hijiori Kokeshi

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A pebble in your ne(Yamagata) Hijiori, Sendai, Iwaki ck and head into work in the plug, cylinder head and shoulders pattern Nadeshiko straight and tight to the sound wave is superimposed Chrysanthemum 遠刈田, the body is similar to Naruko Workers: Shoichi Sato / Suzuki Kazuyuki

Ou Takazou Kokeshi

（ (Yamagata) High water, 双月, 上No山, Yamagata, Onogawa, Atsumi, Shakado, temple, Tendo, Tsuruoka Work in body neck is thick plug, and a large crown of the radial head and torso superimposed red chrysanthemums, cherry breaking pattern double eyelids, nose dripping Workers: Kazuo Akiyama / Sanshiro Ishiyama

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(Miyagi) , Akiho, Nozoki, Yumoto, Yuda, Shiraishi, Noboribetsu ） Plug does not work in your neck (which is also built into rare) Big head, bulging torso is loose chrysanthemum thin layered, wood, break down cherry, plum-shaped eyebrows and Mikazuki, nose broken

Workers: Yusuke Sato Nirou Akira

Naruko Kokeshi

（ (Miyagi) Naruko, Atsumi, Tsuruoka, Hanamaki, Kanayama, Hiraizumi, house holidays, Akiho, Sakunami, Sendai, Shiraishi Inset neck expressions, body rings and the Kii Kii chrysanthemum thin layers are primed in the middle of the curved, maple, patterned Workers: Okazaki Yasuo / Takashi Kakizawa Eternal

Wataru Zirou Kokeshi

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(Miyagi) Wataru Zirou, Sendai, Kamisato, thermohaline, linen, Atami, Onogawa, Iizaka, Yugawa, Takasaki, Obara, where sickle, Shiraishi, Teshikaga Work in body neck plug directly in the crown of most body fat Haya Hutoshi wheel wheel pattern, flower, butterfly-shaped, large yellow area Workers: Etsuko Kamada / Defense ivy

Hijiori Kokeshi

(Yamagata) Hijiori, Sendai, Iwaki A pebble in your neck and head into work in the plug, cylinder head and shoulders pattern Nadeshiko straight and tight to the sound wave is superimposed Chrysanthemum 遠刈田, the body is similar to Naruko Workers: Shoichi Sato / Suzuki Kazuyuki

Ou Takazou Kokeshi

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（ (Yamagata) High water, 双月, 上No山, Yamagata, Onogawa, Atsumi, Shakado, temple, Tendo, Tsuruoka Work in body neck is thick plug, and a large crown of the radial head and torso superimposed red chrysanthemums, cherry breaking pattern double eyelids, nose dripping Workers: Kazuo Akiyama / Sanshiro Ishiyama

(Miyagi) , Akiho, Nozoki, Yumoto, Yuda, Shiraishi, Noboribetsu ） Plug does not work in your neck (which is also built into rare) Big head, bulging torso is loose chrysanthemum thin layered, wood, break down cherry, plum-shaped eyebrows and Mikazuki, nose broken Workers: Yusuke Sato Nirou Akira

Naruko Kokeshi

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（ (Miyagi) Naruko, Atsumi, Tsuruoka, Hanamaki, Kanayama, Hiraizumi, house holidays, Akiho, Sakunami, Sendai, Shiraishi Inset neck expressions, body rings and the Kii Kii chrysanthemum thin layers are primed in the middle of the curved, maple, patterned Workers: Okazaki Yasuo / Takashi Kakizawa Eternal

Wataru Zirou Kokeshi

(Miyagi) Wataru Zirou, Sendai, Kamisato, thermohaline, linen, Atami, Onogawa, Iizaka, Yugawa, Takasaki, Obara, where sickle, Shiraishi, Teshikaga Work in body neck plug directly in the crown of most body fat Haya Hutoshi wheel wheel pattern, flower, butterfly-shaped, large yellow area Workers: Etsuko Kamada / Defense ivy

Sat Aizu Kokeshi

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） (Fukushima)

Tang Sat, Kawamata, Iizaka, Fukushima, Takeshi, Nakanosawa, Tokyo ） Work in body neck swollen head plug is slightly tapered at the center of annular pattern, red shackles on both sides of big bangs (skein) 」 Red, black, green, and those thin blue Nakanosawa wheel pattern is known as "shaved octopus" Workers: Saitou Tokuzyu / Sato Tosh iaki

Some Q and A on Kokeshi Q: What does the word "Kokeshi" mean?

A: The name of this wooden doll varied from place to place. "Kideko" in Fukushima area, means Ki=wooden and Deko=a kind of puppet. "Kibouko" in Miyagi area, means Ki=wooden and Bouko (Houko)= stuffed crawled doll. "Kokeshi" is one of such locutions in Sendai area, would means Ko=wooden (or small) and Keshi=Keshi-ningyo, which Keshi-ningyo was a small doll made by terra cotta in Sendai area. The word of "Kokeshi" was just decided as a representative name of them by the Tokyo Kokeshi Collectors Club in 1940. The common meanings of those names are "Wooden small doll".

Q: What does the word "Kokeshi" mean?

A: The name of this wooden doll varied from place to place. "Kideko" in Fukushima area, means Ki=wooden and Deko=a kind of puppet. "Kibouko" in Miyagi area, means Ki=wooden and Bouko (Houko)= stuffed crawled doll. "Kokeshi" is one of such locutions in Sendai area, would means

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Ko=wooden (or small) and Keshi=Keshi-ningyo, which Keshi-ningyo was a small doll made by terra cotta in Sendai area. The word of "Kokeshi" was just decided as a representative name of them by the Tokyo Kokeshi Collectors Club in 1940. The common meanings of those names are "Wooden small doll".

Q: I know there were various producers of Kokeshi. But where is the first place to produce "Kokeshi"?

A: It is not clear. Perhaps, Tohgatta, the east side of Zao mountain (Miyagi Prefecture) would be the original place to create Kokeshi, and the starting time would be Bunka-Bunsei (1,804 to 1,830) in Edo Era.

Other places, namely Tsuchiyu in Fukushima Prefecture and Narugo (Naruko) in Miyagi Prefecture also started to produce Kokeshi in Tenpo years (1,830 to 1,844) respectively.

Q: Does Kokeshi have a different form or shape per area of production?

A: Common characteristics are the doll made by woodturner, which doll has spherical head and cylindrical body without any hands and legs. But there are varieties of shapes and drawing patterns per area of production, and those variations are aligned with their phylogenetic history. Those are categorized into 10 or 11 groups. Generally, the categorization of 10 phylogenetic groups, i.e. Tsuchiyu Yajiro, Tohgatta, Zaotakayu, Hijiori, Sakunami, Naruko, Kijiyama, Nanbu, and Tsugaru, is popular. Someone separates Yamagata from Sakunami group as an independent group and categorize into 11 groups.

Q: Is this categorization also applicable at the beginning time, I mean at the end of Edo Era?

A: No. Originally it might be 3 groups, i.e. Tsuchiyu, East side of Zao Mountain, and Narugo. The one of technological innovations was essential to accelerate the diversification of shapes and patterns. This innovation was the technology of foot-operated turning, which was brought to Tohoku 1880s. Before this, only technology was the hand turning, which required two persons for the operation, i.e. carver and turner. On one hand, only one craftsman could operate the carving by hand and the turning by foot with foot-operated turning machine

Tohgatta and Aone (another hot springs located 7 km west from Tohgatta) were the centers of this innovation in Tohoku. And many wood turners went to there to learn this new technology. It was some kind of school, and they learnt not only foot-operated turning but also learn how to use the new chemical dyes. They produced “Kokeshi” with more attractive colors of yellow, green, purple on top of black and red.

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Also, they started to color by using their turning machine, and they produced various spiral or ring patterns. They never tried to color with the hand turning, since two persons operation of coloring was inefficiency. This change encouraged craftsmen to bring out their originalities, and accelerated the diversification of shapes and patterns. They should have spent very exciting time in this school. The craftsmen went back their home hot springs and started to produce their own new style of "Kokeshi". This means that the categorization of 10 groups was established 1880s. Photos for The 10 Phylogenetic Groups.

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MEANINGS OF SOME KOKESHI PATTERNS.

Kokeshi body of patterns, if you fall into two groups, "the potter's wheel pattern" and "floral" will. Particular "floral" is a series 遠刈田, Sakunami system, Ou Takazou hot water system, Naruko system, Hijiori systems are widely distributed as a basic body of mountain shaped wooden base.

。 Affected the pattern of the flowers Kokeshi, and lacquer ware, Imari, pottery and grinding feed, the Aborigines are said to form a dam and Sagara, and Why Now, as the body of Kokeshi pattern, pick the flowers, especially採Ri上Geta in

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terms of whether things are, etc. I have never been discussed 殆. Flowers are painted as the preferred pattern of Kokeshi body, the background was willing to buy its floral Kokeshi, perhaps, they had ties with the primitive and flowers Kokeshi. "Language and Language ふ flowers, suddenly saying simply," Ho alley "are similar in meaning and sense of place ふ 先触 supposed to prelude the saying is." (Origuti Nobuo "The Story of Flowers") flowers things that bloom and full bloom, the spirits of the land, the harvest of the year, things were a flower show in the form of a herald.

Kokeshi flower pattern, and if that falls into two categories, and an abstract style of 遠刈田, or become a realistic style of Naruko. 抽Abstract graphic representation that is not always accurate, but in the chrysanthemum 遠刈田 repeatedly, Ju Xu, much like the style of symmetrical chrysanthemum spar, and to break down the cherry tree deformation, the same shape, the body from top to bottom, What stage are you drawn neatly, as Naruko, a different floral forms, can be layered, with a flurry or that will be distinct style. What about the fact that this style is one of the oldest is not clear.

SOME KOKESHI MAKERS\ Mr. Saito's current status is unknown.

Mr. Abe is one of the more expensive Tsuchiyu artists.

Mr. Niiyama passed in 1969 at the age of 82

Mr. Niiyama passed in 1987 at the age of 65.

Kouichi was trained by Bunichi (his father), and I believe he has passed. His wife, Umeko was born in 1928 and is still an active maker.

Mr. Kobayashi belongs to the Bunroku lineage. This line has been classified as both Hijiori and Togatta. There is much confusion as to the "proper" family these belong and the reason follows: Mr. Bunroku Sato was born in Togatta and went to Hijiori to work with Shusuke Sato. He then returned to Togatta. Some researchers classify these has Hijiori including famous

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researcher, Mr. Tokio Shikama, however, some members of this line consider themselves Togatta makers.

Mr. Umitani was born in 1905 and passed in 1985.

Mr. Okuyama passed in 1984 at the age of 78.

The Hiraga family is the "head" family in the Sakunami style kokeshi. Mr. Kenichi Hiraga was 7th generation maker, dob, Sept. 14, 1943, passed in 2007

Mr. Igarashi was born in 1927 and appears to be the only active artist in this Tsugaru subsystem.

Mr. Takahashi passed in 2005 at the age of 88.

Mr. Sasaki often painted flowers on the head. This doll has round petaled flowers with two leaves on the sides. Mr. Sasaki was born June 5, 1933 and passed in 2007 or 2008. s.

Mr. Sasaki was born June 5, 1933 and passed in 2007 or 2008.

Mr. Okazaki was born on Feb. 23, 1935.

Mr. Ishiyama passed in 1993 at the age of 83.

Mr. Umeki was born in 1929.

Mr. Akiyama passed in 1984 at the age of 70 years.

Only the Onuma Iwatarou house is permitted to draw the wheel chrysanthemum. Probably like a copyright issue.

Famous Artist from Nuruyu Hidetaroo Mori (1895 – 1986) 盛秀太郎 He was born and lived all his life in Nuruyu as son of a family of wood craftsmen. He lost both parents at an early age and endured many hardships with his relatives. He started making kokshi with a Daruma on the body, mabye because his family was hit by many misfortunes, his eldest son lost an arm at work, his younger son lost his eyesight and more.

One of his Daruma Dolls

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Mori Hidatroo a pupil of the above did the dol on the left

Let me introduce two famous kokeshi makers from the area, Yoshiki Satoo and Muchihide Abo.

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Yoshiki Satoo 佐藤佳樹

He learned the craft from his father Zenji, a rather stern teacher, who told him “Do not think about becoming a famous artist fast, but try to become a master craftsman in due course of time.” Some of his Daruma kokeshi come with feet painted on the bottom but in the beginning his father told him: “It is still too early for such an adventure.”

Triangular Kiji Daruma

From his father Zenji's repertoir: Two oogeling Daruma.

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Muchihide Abo 阿保六知秀 Mr. Abo lives in Kuroishi, close to Hanamaki Town in Aomori prefecture. When asked about the model for his dolls, he answered: “In the beginning, it was my own face, later that of my wife and right now that of my daughter. But I have the feeling in the end I will be back to my own face”. His teacher was the father of Mr. Satoo. The colors of his dolls are quite vivid and unusual and the Daruma on the skirt looks quite fierce. His Daruma in an apple is a typical product of Aomori, which is famous for its large apple plantations. There will be more about Apple-Darumas in a different story. There are many more of his kokeshi on this great page.

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Yellow Daruma

Daruma Painted on Body. Three dolls from the late Mr. Mori, with a typical body shape.

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A little disheveled lady was made by Mr. Kitayama.

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On the nest page is the beginning of a spreadsheet that has notes on the types of features makes of dolls have. Sorry I had to do it this way!

Features Spreadsheet

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TY

PE

BO

DY

SH

APE

EY

E S

HA

PE

NO

SE

SH

APE

HA

IRS

TY

LE

TO

P OF H

EA

D

BO

DY

DE

CO

RA

TIO

NS

CO

NS

TR

UC

TIO

N N

OT

ES

TS

UC

HIY

U

Varied but generally slender

double lid

round, long varied

janome radiating circles

stripes, stripes and flowers, lines doubling back 2 pieces

TO

GA

TT

O

Slemder with tapering shoulders

double lid, one stroke

split, cats nose

front bang and two small side bangs

tegara radiating lines

chrysanthamums, wood grain,plum blossoms 3 pieces

NA

RU

GU

thick with shoulders

single lid, one stroke

cats nose

front bang and two small side bangs

small lock of hair

chrysanthamums, maple leaves 4 pieces

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YA

GIR

OU

various, busts, frequently waisted

single lid, one stroke

simple drumstick, cats nose

cap with side bangs

janome radiating circles, multicoulored, momowara chignon

stripes. Flowers, kimono designs, strong use of yellows and purples

2 or 3 pieces

SA

KU

NA

MI

slender, thick shaped body. Heavy base

doub;e lid

teardrop

banfs with tagara designs

long lock of hair, dragon fly

flowers, frequently free form 2 pieces

YA

MA

GA

TA

narrow

double lid, single lid

split, cats nose

bangs with floral radius

long lock of hair, dragon fly

stripes top and bottomchrysanthamums 3 pieces

HIJO

RI straigh

t cylinder

double lid long

blank, bangs

radial lines, dragonfly

yellow bodies, stacked flowers, belt detail 4 pieces

ZA

O

thick, squat

double lid, surprised

long, round, split

thick bangs

circle in center, radial lines

floweers frequently free form 5 pieces

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NA

MB

U

originally pacifier shape, now varied

blank, double lid. Single lid

blank, cats nose, split

blank, bangs

blank, radial lines

blank, chrysanthamums, wood grain 6 pieces

KIJIY

AM

A

thick with tapering shoulders

half moon. A;; black

round, cats nose

full head of hair, bangs

dragonfly

kimono, striped apron 1 piece

TS

UG

AR

U

busts, narrow waist, varied

all black

cats nose, round

full head of hair, wreath

momowara chignon, black

stripes, flowers images 2 pieces

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Daruma Dolls

Some in the sections above includes stuff on Daruma Dolls

The Daruma good luck doll - buy one, paint in an eye and make a wish. When your wish comes true, paint in the other eye. What is the significance of this doll? A simple stall lines the entrance to the shrine. Like the stalls for festivals and markets, the wooden shelves are lined with traditional Japanese items and replicas for the discerning tourist. Unlike many of the items for sale, one seems too insignificant for words and yet sells very well with everyone – the daruma doll. For tourists, the doll is a cute, inexpensive and lightweight memento of Japan. For most of them, the true history and significance of this doll remains a mystery although some shops do include instructions and a very brief explanation. Almost round in shape except for the flattened base, these simple, papier-mâché dolls painted red, with white and black markings, seem too ordinary for words. Yet the Japanese (and the tourists) buy them often in different sizes and from different places, painting in one eye and leaving them on a shelf in the hope that one day they can paint in the other eye. What is the significance of this doll? The history Daruma dolls are said to represent the priest Bodhidharma, a 6th century Indian priest considered the founder of Chinese Zen Buddhism. Bodhidharma is reputed to have spent 9 years meditating in a cave and praying without moving or blinking his eyes until he lost the use of his arms and legs so the daruma dolls do not have limbs or eyes. They are weighted at the base so that they do not fall over, reflecting perseverance and success after misfortune that Bodhidharma strove to promote. The red is the red of his priest robe and the name, daruma, is an abbreviated version of the priest's name. The fantasy New daruma do not have eyes painted on them as Bodhidharma used his inner vision rather than 'physical' sight. Instead, large white circles are painted onto the doll’s head There are two theories about daruma eyes and luck. One claims that, when you make a wish, you should paint in the left eye (the left one when you are facing the doll) and when the wish comes true you should paint in the other eye. The other claims that, you should buy a daruma when something good happens to you and paint in one eye. You paint in the other when the next lucky thing happens. You are also

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supposed to start with a small daruma and buy slightly larger ones each time, taking the finished daruma to a shrine where it is burnt with other daruma as an offering. This practice is particularly common at New Year where daruma purchased the previous year are burnt at shrines and a new one is purchased for the incoming year.

Daruma are often bought before exams to hope for good luck, at New Year, hoping for success and other major events and occasions. Certainly the most public displays are the enormous daruma purchased by politicians who paint in one eye before an election and then, usually on television, paint in the other eye when they have won. In Japan there is even a common saying about daruma: "Seven times pushed over, the eighth time it rises" (Nana (7) korobi (stumble), ya (8) oki (get up)). The daruma is intended to teach dedication and persistence, to rise no matter how many times we stumble or fall - to never give up. Whether the daruma doll actually does bring good luck or not, there is no question of its popularity. Daruma fairs are held in Japan from the end of the year to March although you will find the dolls pretty much anywhere in Japan at any time of the year. The two largest fairs are held at Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture and at Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture. So, the next time you have the opportunity, buy one and try out the luck for yourself!

Daruma doll From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Daruma doll

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The Daruma doll (達磨 daruma?), also known as a Dharma doll, is a hollow, round, Japanese doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. These dolls, though typically red and depicting a bearded man (Dharma), vary greatly in color and design depending on region and artist. Though considered an omocha, meaning toy, Daruma has a design that is rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese. Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of encouragement. The doll has also been commercialized by many Buddhist temples to use alongside goal setting.

History of Daruma doll In about the 5th century, DARUMA - Father of Zen Buddhism - obtained realizing at the end when he sat for nine years toward the wall, and the teaching was succeeded from generation to generation by apprentices, spread to China, and to Japan.

In 1697, Daruma-ji temple was founded by Priest Shinetsu to here Takasaki. He drew The Zen meditation image of the DARUMA and it comes to be distributed at the New Year of every year, and it is assumed that it is a start of the Takasaki Daruma doll.

About end of the 18th century, Yamagata Goro carved initial Daruma doll getting a hint from the type by Priest Togaku, and he put Japanese paper on it afterwards.

At the Meiji era when the sericultural industry became active, Daruma doll was requested to pray that they were able to harvest a lot of silk threads.

Afterwards, it arrived at the present age, and the tumbling doll became necessary indispensable as guard that prayed for the business prosperity.

History and commercialization

The current popular symbolism associated with Daruma as a good luck charm in part originated with the Daruma-dera (Temple of Daruma) in the city of Takasaki (Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo). Josef Kyburz, Author of "Omocha": Things to Play (Or Not to Play) with, explained that the founder of Daruma-Dera would draw New Year’s

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charms depicting Bodhidharma. The parishioners would keep these charms to "bring happiness and prosperity and ward off accidents and misfortune".[6]

Daruma dolls at Shōrinzan Daruma-ji, Takasaki, Japan

It is believed that the Daruma figurine then originated from this region when the ninth priest, Togaku, found a solution to handle the constant requests of the parishioners for new charms. The charms were always given with an effectiveness of one year, so the people required new ones every year. He solved this by entrusting them with the making of their own Daruma charms near the beginning of the Meiwa Period (1764-72). The temple made wooden block molds for the people to use. The peasants then used these molds to make three-dimensional papier-mâché charms.[7] Kyburz notes that though it is unknown when the Daruma figurine combined with tumbler doll, the two were well recognized as synonymous by the mid-nineteenth century. The doll quickly grew in popularity, becoming a mascot of the region. This was due greatly in part to fact that the majority of the families were silk farmers, a crop which requires a great deal of luck for success.[8]

Physical features and symbolism

Daruma’s design, particularly the shape, color, eyes, and facial hair, each have its own history and symbolic meaning.

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[edit] Shape

Daruma's are still usually made of papier-mâché, have a round shape, are hollow, and weighted at the bottom in a way that it will always return to a upright position when tilted over. In English, this roly-poly style is called a “tumbler doll,” and in Japanese it is called “okiagari.” meaning to get up (oki) and arise (agari). This characteristic has come to symbolize the ability to have success, overcome adversity, and recover from misfortune.[10]

Due to this, Daruma is often illustrated alongside the phrase "Nanakorobi Yaoki," translated to mean seven times down, Eight times up. This is seen in the popular culture on cards, banners, and books. One example of this is Dr Alan Gettis' Book entitled, "Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up: Landing on Your Feet in an Upside-down World." Recalling the Story of Daruma-san in the introduction of his book, Dr. Gettis describes the phrase as "a call to never give up."[11]

The tumbler doll style is similar to an earlier toy called the Okiagari Koboshi, the little self-righting monk which was popular in the Kinki region during the mid-seventeenth century. The original okiagari toy, however, is said to have been introduced from Ming China around 1368-1644.[12]

[edit] Color

Though it is not certain, the origins of Daruma’s traditional red coloring are probably come from the color of priest’s robes. Reliable sources in English were hard to find, but one Japan-based website cites his red as being the “color of the robe of a high-ranking priest.”[13] The author then concludes that “since Daruma was the founder of the Zen Sect, he must have worn a red robe.” James T. Ulak, head of Collections and Research substantiated the history of Bodhidharma paintings depicting him wearing lavish red robes, prior to ever being made into a doll, in his article entitled Japanese Works in The Art Institute of Chicago.[14] By virtue of his red robes, Daruma has come to play a role in recovering from sickness. During the late Edo period (1600’s to 1868), red was believed to have a strong association to smallpox. Hartmut O. Rotermond, author of Demonic Affliction or Contagious Disease?, describes that in Edo and surrounding cities, there were many outbreaks of measles and smallpox. In present day Japan, there are many red shrines dedicated to a God of Smallpox, which had a particular liking for red. These shrines were built in response to those outbreaks.[15] Believing that the God of smallpox, if pleased, would spare the inflicted child, the Japanese would often stretch out ropes around the house strung with red paper strips, have the child wear a red robe, and make a

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small altar for the God to put talisman like Daruma figurines on.[16] These precautions were also used to warn others that sickness was in the house, and to encourage cleanliness around the sick. The red of Daruma, however, was used to pacify the God, while the image of okiagari was to encourage the patient to recover as quickly as they fell ill.[17] Daruma can also be purchased in set of five colors called “Goshiki Daruma.”

[edit] Eyes

A daruma doll with one eye filled in for wishing.

The eyes of Daruma are often blank when sold. Monte A. Greer, author of Daruma Eyes, described the “oversized symmetrical round blank white eyes” as a means to keep track of goals or big tasks and motivate them to work to the finish. The recipient of the doll fills in one eye upon setting the goal, then the other upon fulfilling it. In this way, every time they see the one-eyed Daruma, they recall the goal. One explanation how this custom started says that in order to motivate Daruma-san to grant your wish, you promise to give him full sight once the goal is accomplished. This custom has led to a phrase in Japanese translated as “Both Eyes Open." Referencing to ‘opening’ the second eye, it expresses the realization of a goal.[18] Traditionally, the Daruma was purchased as a household, and that only the head of the household would paint in the eyes.[19]

The politicians during election time are a good example of this. Political parties are often seen at their headquarters with large Daruma dolls and amulets purchased from local shrines as a prayer for victory. This practice has been followed for some time and is highlighted in a 1967 article in Time Magazine entitled Japan: The Right Eye of Daruma. After explaining the legend of “complet[ing] the Daruma's missing eye as a symbol of gratitude for otherworldly intervention,” the article recounts the following event: “Last week, in the Tokyo headquarters of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Premier Eisaku Sato dipped a sumi brush into an ink stone and with swift strokes daubed in the dark right eye of his Daruma. ‘The eyes,’ he remarked when he had finished, ‘are as big as my own.’” [20]

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[edit] Facial Hair

Daruma’s facial hair is a symbolic representation of the animals well known in Asian culture to embody longevity, the crane and the tortoise. The eyebrows are in the shape of a crane, while the cheek hair resembles the shell of the tortoise. A Japanese-based website states that originally, there was a snake or dragon depicted across the moustache and cheeks, but was changed to tortoise to emphasis the desire for longevity.[21] In this way, Daruma was designed to match the Japanese proverb “The crane lives 1000 years, the tortoise 10,000 years.”

Feminine Representations of Daruma

Daruma dolls also come in the form of Princess Daruma (姫だるま hime daruma?) and Lady Daruma (女だるま onna daruma?). This contrasts greatly with traditional representations of Dharma, who, accredited as the father of many martial arts, has traditionally been depicted as very masculine with rough facial hair.[23] H. Neill McFarland, Professor of Theology, discusses the feminine representations of Bodhidharma in his article Feminine Motifs in Bodhidharma Symbology in Japan. The answer to this anomaly lies in the social changes at the time, developing in the Edo Period. The class distinctions placed the merchants at the bottom, who in turn developed their own culture focusing on humor and poking fun at what those of higher class held sacred. This is evident in the depiction of Dharma as a prostitute since prostitutes displayed the same “okiagari” resilience. Famous pieces of art depicting Bodhidharma were also redrawn with a woman in his place.[24] With the inception of the Daruma doll, the Onna Daruma doll quickly followed. Though the before mentioned examples of feminine motifs of Daruma were satirical, the doll forms maintain the same wholesome image of a bringer of good luck.[25]

Watch this item

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Small Vintage Japanese Doll - Daruma Floral Figurine Description

This small plaster? Japanese figure is less than 20 years old and is in good condition with some marks and scratches from handling. The figure is a tumbler doll with a weighted base which allows the figure to right itself when tipped. The shape of the doll is very similar to a Japanese Daruma figure. The figure has a loose ball inside which allows the doll to rattle when gently shook.

"Life falls down seven times, yet gets up eight..." This popular Japanese proverb is commonly associated with the Indian Buddhist sage Daruma. Daruma is the more familiar name of the historical Buddhist monk Bodhidarma, who lived sometime during the fifth or sixth century AD. Daruma is credited with the founding of the Zen sect of Buddhism, which he is reputed to have introduced into China during his travels there. Some of the legends surrounding this figure include tales that he achieved enlightenment or satori only after meditating in a cave for seven years without blinking or moving his eyes. Another story tells that his enlightenment occurred within a temple in China where he spent his seven years sitting in a room staring at a wall. Apparently at some point during his long meditation Daruma became so overcome with fatigue that he cut off his eyelids in anger and tossed them to the ground. These are reputed to have then sprouted into China's first green tea plants! It is said that Daruma's long meditation caused his arms and legs to wither and fall off, leaving him as an armless, legless and eyelidless (yet enlightened)

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Bodhidarma... The Japanese love this story and admire Daruma for his spirit and determination, and each new year many Japanese will buy a paper-mache Daruma tumbler doll in order to enlist its services in helping them persevere towards their own goals or achievements. The dolls are sold with unpainted eyes, allowing the new owner to paint in one eye to symbolize the start of a new goal or venture. The doll is then placed in a prominent place within the home or at work in order to remind the owner to keep after their aim. Japanese students especially utilize Daruma to motivate them with their studies; placing a one-eyed Daruma before them on their desk as motivation to work hard and make the grade. Only after the goal is achieved will the owner then paint in the second eye, symbolizing a realized goal. Daruma dolls which have completed their jobs as perseverance role models are normally then brought to a temple to be burned during special ceremonies set aside for this purpose. The last images below are various representations of Daruma found at a Zen temple near our home in Japan.

Size: Height: 2.0 inches (5.2 centimeters) Weight: 0.6 ounces (17 grams)

Vintage Daruma Tumbler - Japan Zen Buddhist Bodhidarma Description

"Life falls down seven times, yet gets up eight..." This popular Japanese proverb is commonly associated with the Indian Buddhist sage Daruma. Daruma is the more familiar name of the historical Buddhist monk Bodhidarma, who lived sometime during the fifth or

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sixth century AD. Daruma is credited with the founding of the Zen sect of Buddhism, which he is reputed to have introduced into China during his travels there. Some of the legends surrounding this figure include tales that he achieved enlightenment or satori only after meditating in a cave for seven years without blinking or moving his eyes. Another story tells that his enlightenment occurred within a temple in China where he spent his seven years sitting in a room staring at a wall. Apparently at some point during his long meditation Daruma became so overcome with fatigue that he tore off his eyelids in anger and tossed them to the ground. These are reputed to have then sprouted into China's first green tea plants! It is said that Daruma's long meditation caused his arms and legs to wither and fall off, leaving him as an armless, legless and eyelidless (yet enlightened) Bodhidarma... The Japanese love this story and admire Daruma for his spirit and determination, and each new year many Japanese will buy a paper-mache Daruma tumbler doll in order to enlist its services in helping them persevere towards their own goals. The dolls are sold with unpainted eyes, allowing the new owner to paint in one eye to symbolize the start of a new goal or venture. The doll is then placed in a prominent place within the home or at work in order to remind the owner to keep after their aim. Japanese students especially utilize Daruma to motivate them with their studies; placing a one-eyed Daruma before them on their desk to remind them to work hard and make the grade. Only after the goal is achieved will the owner then paint in the second eye, symbolizing a realized goal. Daruma dolls which have completed their jobs as perseverance role models are normally then brought to a temple to be burned during special ceremonies reserved for this purpose.

About the Listed Item

This ceramic Daruma tumbler is less than 40 years old and in fair condition with chips, marks and scratches from handling and wears a darkened patina of age. Japanese writing is found on the back of the figure and one eye has been painted in.

Size: Height: 2.7 inches (7.0 centimeters) Weight: 2.9 ounces (84 grams)

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Old Japanese Daruma Doll - Kimono Girl Ningyo Figurine Description

This old Japanese doll is less than 40 years old and in fair condition with faded fabric as well as marks and scratches from handling. The doll is designed to resemble a Daruma tumbler. Please read below to learn more about Daruma. Size: Height of figure: 2.9 inches (7.5 cm) Weight: 1.7 ounces (48 grams)

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Antique Daruma Buddhist Figure Japanese Zen Bodhidarma Description

This unique and special ceramic Daruma figure is in good condition with no cracks though it does have marks and scratches from handling and age. This Daruma figure dates from the early to mid Japanese Showa period (1926-1989) and was acquired in the historic city of Shizuoka, Japan near the foot of Mt. Fuji. Please read below to learn about the history and legend of Daruma.

Size: Height: 3.7 inches (9.5 centimeters) Weight: 5.3 ounces (152 grams)

Japanese Old Hime Daruma Doll

Height-5.2cm(2.05in) This Daruma doll is made of paper called the HARIKO.

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CLASSIC KOKESHI SUMMARY VIEW

The classics are the most familiar of all kokeshi. They have round heads and rounded body, (a few have elongated bodies) and always wear a colorful kimono with a haori (jacket) or vest. The head is attached via a wooden peg which allows it to nod or turn. They were finished with a coat of glossy varnish. Being 50+ years old, signs of aging such as paint loss, crazing of the paint or varnish, whitening of varnish, scratches and dents are common to these dolls. Unfortunately, the more paint colors used, the thicker the paint and the thicker the paint, the greater chance for the paint to dry out and chip. That is why when a doll has chipping, it always seems to be in the most artistically designed areas. Condition issues exceeding normal wear and tear will be so noted.

DARUMA

Daruma (Bodhidharma) was a Sage from India who lived in the 5th or 6th century, A.D. He is the founder of Zen Buddhism. There are many stories and legends about him. One of the most famous is the reason he is seen without legs or arms. He is said to have prayed or meditated for so many years that they fell off from non-use. It is said that he cut off his eyelids as he was so angry at himself for dozing off during mediation, ergo his large eyes. Paper mache daruma dolls often have no eyes drawn in. When you make a wish, you color in one eye and when it comes true, you color in the other. Often seen in sets of 8 which represent 7 times down and 8 times up. He is also bottom weighted so if knocked over, he rises back up. Placed inside the home, he symbolizes good luck and protection.

A female version of Daruma is called "Hime" or Princess Daruma.

The above is an extremely abreviated explanation but should give a little insight about the dolls listed in this catalog.

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KOKESHI

There are two types of kokeshi, the traditional kokeshi and the sosaku (creative) kokeshi. The traditional kokeshi consists of 11 families and include a few offshoots of some of these main families. The creative kokeshi is everything else. For the purposes of this site, the creative kokeshi has been broken down into additional categories, including "classic" and "modern".

MODERN KOKESHI

The modern kokeshi (kindai kokeshi), although considered a sosaku (creative) kokeshi, are quite different in look and feel than the vintage kokeshi. They are not fashioned after historic or folklore figures; they do not conform to any particular shape or style. Many are female dolls, with large heads and "big" hair or "helmet hair" as I've seen them referred. Often, the hair is a separate piece of wood that may be painted or left natural. This style started in the 1970's or a little earlier. Most of the non-traditional dolls made today fall into this category and have been referred to as "Gumma" dolls as the majority are made in Gumma. However, there are many different levels of qualtity within this group. The top artists today, who's individual works are masterpieces, also create less expensive dolls so that everyone can enjoy them.

PAPER MACHE (Hariko)

Paper mache originates in China. Samples of items have been found dating back to 202BC to 220AD. The Japanese history of paper mache toy crafting goes back to the 17th century (early Edo period). Originally used as ritual type objects to protect the children from evil spirits, today, still used as good luck charms. Many of the techniques used today are unchanged from centuries ago as with many of the Japanese folk crafts. A specific example of a well known Japanese paper mache toy is the Inuhariko (paper mache dog). The Inuhariko dates to the late Edo period (1603-1868). They were created as toys for children but also placed next to women giving birth as a good luck charm and to ensure a safe delivery. Today they are made much the same way and look the same as they did 100+ years ago. Animals have always been a popular subject of the paper mache toys (cows, tigers, dogs and cats) and, more recently, the 12 animals of the zodiac.

7 GODS OF FORTUNE (a.k.a. Shichifukujin, 7 gods of good fortune, 7 lucky gods)

A group of 7 dieties from Japanese folklore. There are specific characteristics associated with each one.

1. Ebisu - god of fishermen, depicted carrying a fishing pole and/or a fish

2. Daikokuten - god of wealth or prosperity, carries a magic mallet or treasure sack

3. Benzaiten - goddess of the arts (the only female), carries a lute

4. Hotei - god of happiness and contentment, depicted with an exposed stomach for it is said if you rub his belly, it will bring good luck. He carries a bag of food and treasure

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5. Fukurokuju - god of wisdom and longevity, carries a scroll which contains all the wisdom in the world

6. Jurojin - god of longevity, carries a staff or scroll which contains the secret to longevity

7. Bishamonten - god of war/warriors, carries a spear

Japanese Periods

Edo 1603-1868

Meiji 1868-1912

Taisho 1912-1926

Showa 1926-1989

Heisei 1989 - current

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Beautiful Kokeshi Dolls: A Uniquely Japanese Folk Art

Naruko Dolls Naruko kokeshi are

distinguished by their sharp shoulders and a head that,

when turned, makes a squeaking sound. This is the only doll that does so. Some

of the newer ones have rounded shoulders like the

one on the left of the screen.

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Kijiyama Dolls Kijiyama dolls are made from one piece of wood and have a very distinctive pattern of

kimono and obi.

Nakanosawa Dolls Nakanosawa dolls are very distinctive dolls due to their

atypical Japanese eyes surrounded by large, pink rims.

This doll was made in tribute to a street entertainer who walked on his hands with a pillow between

his knees and had make up similar to the faces of these dolls. After his death, people wanted a doll in

his memory, so this doll was “born”.

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Zao - Bikkuri Me Dolls (Surprised Eyes)

These are from the Zao- Shiroishi onsen (hot springs) and have the

characteristic surprised eyes. Very cute.

Tsuchiyu Dolls Tsuchiyu dolls are easily identified by their long,

tubular, round shouldered shape and especially by the

striped pattern on their body. The heads have a

“bull’s eye” circular pattern. This will be explained later.

The largest doll in the photo is the only one with two

camellias on it , since usually there is only one. The

dollmaker said that this was the only one he made with

two on it. How lucky I was to have found such a rare doll!

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Nambu-Hanamaki Dolls These dolls are

characteristic of the Nambu area, lacking any design or painted color. The largest

one here has two rings around the base and the doll and rings were made all from

one piece of wood. The head is often loose.

Sakunami Dolls *Sakunami Kokeshi Dolls

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Tsugaru Dolls These lovely dolls are

distinguished by the Daruma pattern painted on them with stripes and camellias. I asked

one of the dollmakers why the scary daruma was

painted on it and he said it was to keep evil spirits away from children. These dolls

also have a “bust” and waist. These dolls tend to be more expensive as they are not so

common.

Togatta Dolls The dolls from Togatta are

recognized by the very distinctive head design with

the red petals along the sides of the heads. There are many different designs

painted on the bodies ranging from diagonal red

stripes, flowers kimono collars, and more.

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Hijiori Dolls These very distinctive dolls

have a very heavy hairline and “sanpaku” eyes (three line eyes). Made only by a handful of dollmakers they tend to be more expensive

than most kokeshi dolls because there are so few

makers of this style.

Oshin (Naruko) Dolls Oshin dolls are designed after the Naruko doll with their distinctive shoulders. These pretty ladies were made after a very popular

serialized telvision program featuring “Oshin,” a poor

woman who overcomes hardships to make a better life. When the program was

finished, its popularity among the Asian community

created the demand for a doll to be made in the

memory of Oshin.

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Yajiro Dolls Yajiro dolls are easily recognizable by their

signature waistline and colors. This doll has a

dominant yellow base for its body with purple, black, blue

and red designs. The various patterns range from stripes to flowers. Some of

these dolls also have a topknot hairdo.

Naruko Nemoriko Dolls Naruko “sitting” dolls are

called nemoriko dolls, indicated by the kimono

spreading around the sitting person. Other strains of

kokeshi also have the nemoriko style.

Ejiko Dolls Don’t overlook these

babies!!! These are the babies in the “baskets”

(EJIKO) and this is how the field workers took their

babies to work with them, by placing them in baskets near them as they worked. All the

ten different types have

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these ejiko dolls.

Daruma These wonderful little men are also made by kokeshi

makers and some are made as toys. The daruma legend

came from India and it is about a man who sat on a

wall and worried about the problems of the world. He lost his legs from non use and his arms are folded

around himself under his gown. They are such

wonderful creatures!! The ones with the spinning tops are used as dice, and this is indicated by the numbers

and directions (e.g. North/south/east/west) painted on the top. When the spinning top stops and

tilts, it is read like a dice.

Conclusion.

Well, It is a confusing subject to come at “cold”. This along with Evans and Wolfs book should get you on to the right track and possibly confuse you a bit. But then, it is fun sorting it all out. Do you agree?

I have tried to get one of each style/family that are a. used, b. the oldest or c. the most expensive.

Table of Contents

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL - NARUKO STYLE - $19 ................... 2

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL - NANBU STYLE .............................. 5

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL - TSUCHIYU STYLE ......................... 8

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL - SAKUNAMI STYLE - K91024 .......... 10

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL - ZAO TAKAYU - K91171 ................ 14

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL - YAJIRO STYLE - K91174 ............... 18

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL - TOGATTA STYLE ......................... 22

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL - KIJIYAMA STYLE ......................... 25

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL - TSUGARU STYLE - HIDETARO K91206

....................................................................................... 27

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL - HIJIORI STYLE ............................ 31

Japanese kokeshi doll - Naruko style - $19

Description

The Naruko kokeshi developed from the Naruko Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture. A head is an insertion type, and if it turns, it will sound. The body was thick, the central part was a little narrow, the parts of the shoulder and the skirt are stretched firmly, and there

is sense of stability. The parts of the shoulder and the skirt are stretched firmly and there is sense of stability. A splendid chrysanthemum and maple are drawn and a pattern has a potter's wheel line upper part and the lower part of the body.

Condition : Used. It has some scratches and stains by the aging. Signed on base by artist. Please refer to the photos.

Artist : Sato Minoru

Place of origin : Miyagi Pref.

Production year : ?

Size : Height 25.5 cm Diameter(head) 7.6 cm

Diameter(body) 6.5 cm

Japanese kokeshi doll - Nanbu style - k00336

The Nanbu kokeshi developed from Hanamaki and Morioka in Iwate Prefecture. The loose insertion type which a head moves and is called "Kinakina". The head is comparatively small and, in many

cases, does not draw the pattern of a face or a body. However, an easy potter's wheel line and a face may be drawn. It is affected by the Togatta kokeshi and the Naruko kokeshi. The form of a body is straight, narrow and the center has swollen, etc.

The head of this doll rolls.

Condition : Used. It has some scratches and stains by the aging.

Artist : Susumago Jitsutaro

Place of origin : Iwate Pref.

Production year : before 1984

Size : Height 30.0 cm Diameter(head) 6.5 cm Diameter(body) 5.3 cm

Japanese kokeshi doll - Tsuchiyu style - 2pcs k00114

The Tsuchiyu kokeshi developed from Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture. A form has the pillar form with which middle swelled slenderly a little in the upper part and the lower part of the body, and a cone with the thick lower part with the thin upper part. A head is comparatively small and writes black or the blue bull's-eye pattern. The heads are an insertion type or a plug type. The pattern of a body has an easy potter's wheel line, a waveform, a small flower, a

camellia, a peony, etc.

Condition : Used. It has some scratches and stains by the aging. Signed on base by artist. Please refer to the photos.

Artist : Watanabe Chuzou

Place of origin : Fukushima Pref.

Production year : 2000 ~ 2001

Size : Height 30.5 cm, 19.0 cm Diameter(head) 7.1 cm, 4.6 cm Diameter(body) 4.6 cm, 3.5 cm

Japanese kokeshi doll - Sakunami style - k91024

Description

The Sakunami kokeshi developed from Yamagata in Yamagata Prefecture, and Sakunami Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture. The Sakunami kokeshi received instruction of the Yamagata kokeshi and completed the kokeshi unique to Sakunami on the basis of it. A head is a plug type, with red ring type decoration, black hair is drawn and a bobbed hair

style pattern is also in others.

Condition : Used. It has some scratches and stains by the aging. Signed on base by artist. Please refer to the photos.

Artist : Satomi Masao

Place of origin : Miyagi Pref.

Production year : 1973

Size : Height 24.5 cm Diameter(head) 7.6 cm Diameter(body) 4.7 cm

Japanese kokeshi doll - Zao Takayu - k91171

Description

The Zao-Takayu kokeshi developed from Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture. It is strongly affected by the Togatta kokeshi. A head is an insertion type. A black bull's-eye pattern is drawn on the top of the head, and there are forelock and red decoration. Generally the part of a body is thinner, the central part has swollen a little, and the pattern has combined an easy potter's wheel line, a flower, etc.

Condition : Used. It has some scratches and stains by the aging. Signed on base by artist. Please refer to the photos.

Artist : Saito Genkichi

Place of origin : Yamagata Pref.

Production year : before 1964

Size : Height 24.5 cm Diameter(head) 7.3 cm Diameter(body) 4.6 cm

Japanese kokeshi doll - yajiro style - k91174

Description

The Yajiro kokeshi developed from Kamasaki Onsen Yajiro colony in Shiroishi-City, Miyagi Pref. The heads are an insertion type or a plug type. A head

is large, some potter's wheel lines are drawn on the top of the head, and seems to wear the beret. The form of a body is narrow and straight. The body pattern has drawn a collar and the skirt so that the kokeshi wears the kimono, and a potter's wheel pattern.

Condition : Used. It has some scratches and stains by the aging. Signed on body by artist. Please refer to the photos.

Artist : Sato Makoto

Place of origin : Iwate Pref.

Production year : before 1970

Size : Height 26.5 cm Diameter(head) 7.4 cm Diameter(body) 5.4 cm

Japanese kokeshi doll - Togatta style - k00108

The togatta kokeshi developed from Togatta-Onsen, Zao-machi in Miyagi Prefecture.

The head is an insertion type or a plug type. Compared with the thickness of a body, a head is large, and the radiate red pattern is drawn on the top of the head. It is the feature to draw red decoration on the right and left of forelock. A neck is thin and a body is a pillar type.

Condition : Used.

No significant stains. Signed on base by artist. Please refer to the photos.

Artist : Sato Sanzo

Place of origin : Miyagi Pref.

Production year : 1975

Size : Height 24.0 cm Diameter(head) 7.0 cm Diameter(body) 3.8 cm

Japanese kokeshi doll - Kijiyama style - k00307

The Kijiyama kokeshi developed from Kijiyama, Minase-

mura in Akita Prefecture. The head and a body are made from one tree. It is a kokeshi which has a simple form with fixture type structure. The pattern of forelock and a red hair ornament is drawn on the head. The patterns of a body are a chrysanthemum, plum, pinstripes, etc. A kimono pattern is the feature of this kokeshi.

Condition : Used. It has some scratches and stains by the aging.

Artist : Ogura Kyutaro

Place of origin : Akita Pref.

Production year : 1974

Size : Height 25.5 cm Diameter(head) 5.3 cm Diameter(body) 5.9 cm

Japanese kokeshi doll - Tsugaru style - Hidetaro k91206

Description

The Tsugaru kokeshi developed from Nuruyu Onsen in Aomori Prefecture. The head and a body are the fixture types made from one tree. Although a head is slightly small and many are black bobbed hair styles, there are some which attached red decoration. A pattern has an AINU design, the DARUMA picture, etc. And also has that the flower of the peony which is a family crest of the Tsugaru-Han is used.

Condition : Used. It has some scratches and stains by the aging. Signed on base by artist. Please refer to the photos.

Artist : Mori Hidetaro.

He is a originator of the Tsugaru kokeshi who passed away at the age of 90 in 1986.

Place of origin : Aomori Pref.

Production year : 1976

Size : Height 31.5 cm Diameter(head) 6.3 cm Diameter(body) 7.1 cm

Japanese kokeshi doll - Hijiori style - k00104

The hijiori kokeshi developed from Higiori Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture. It is affected by the Togatta kokeshi and the Naruko kokeshi. A head is a plug type, a radiate red pattern is drawn on the top of the head, and a bobbed hair style pattern is also in others. The shoulder has stretched the body and it is straight. There is also a form where the skirt parts spread.

Condition : Used. No significant stains. Signed on base by artist. Please refer to the photos.

Artist : Kobayashi Sadao

Place of origin : Iwate Pref.

Production year : ?

Size : Height 30.0 cm Diameter(head) 8.7 cm Diameter(body) 4.2 cm

. Style of a traditional kokeshi is grouped into the following 10.

Families or styles:

Tsuchiyu,

Yajiro,

Togatta,

Zao-Takayu,

Hijiori,

Yamagata-

Sakunami,

Naruko,

Kijiyama,

Nanbu and

Tsugaru.

How to value a doll: .

It may be various. It is a difficult question. The kokeshi of 50

year or more vintage and big-name artist is expensive. Moreover,

a big kokeshi (over 45cm) has the high cost of materials.

Condition also influences value of a kokeshi. (stains, scratches,

etc..)

. The place of production of a traditional kokeshi is limited to the

Tohoku district in Japan. Aomori pref –

Tsugaru style, Iwate pref –

Nanbu style, Akita pref –

Kijiyama style, Yamagata pref –

Yamagata-Sakumami and Zao-Takayu style, Fukushima pref –

Tsuchiyu style, Miyagi pref –

Yajiro, togatta, Hijiori and Naruko style.(These are standard

classification.)

Kokeshi dolls from Miyagi prefecture

In Miyagi there are 5 varieties of kokeshi, made in Naruko, Togatta, Yajiro, Sakunami and Hijiori. The

production is the highest in Japan.

The Kokeshi Dolls - originated with a warm heart, abundant climate, and dexterous skill in

Michinoku.With a gentle beam,they are inviting us to the five Kokeshi towns.

Naruko Togatta Yajiro Sakunami Hijiori

Let us look at them in detail.

Kokeshi from Togatta (Toogatta

Togatta is maybe the most ancient birthplace of Kokeshi.

The Nihon Kokeshi-Kan (Japanese Kokeshi Museum) in Naruko, the Kokeshi-no-Sato (Home of Kokeshi)

and the Miyagi Zao Kokeshi-Kan (Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Museum) in Togatta displays the dolls. Kokeshi

artisans perform workshops at Kokeshi-no-Sato, allowing you to watch the kokeshi making process.

Kokeshi from Yajiro

Yajiro Kokeshi are produced mainly in the village of Yajiro located about 1 km west of the Kamasaki Hot

Spring of Shiroishi Town. They have their origin with Togatta Kokeshi. Today in Yajiro, the people live as

half farmer and half artisan, farming the land from early spring to autumn and striving to produce

Kokeshi from late autumn to spring when the icy chill moves off the river.

Kokeshi from Sakunami

Sakunami Kokeshi have a relatively short history, and is considered that they were first produced in the

early Meiji era. They are quite slender, so that children can hold them easily.

http://hb2.seikyou.ne.jp/home/g-136/yamagatamain.htm

Kokeshi from Hijiori

The Hijiori design was developed in the Hijiori Hot Spring resort in Okura Village. The main colors for

decoration are yellow, red and green and the eyes are carefully modelled.

The Togatta design was combined with the Naruko design to produce the distinctive Hijiori Kokeshi. This

design presently has the least number of the artisans. However, Shoichi, a third generation artisan, is

creating ambitious pieces in Sendai. His inspiration comes from the master craftsman, Shusuke Sato,

who was from Togatta and said to be the originator of Hijiori Kokeshi, and the second generation

Minosuke.

Kokeshi from Nuruyu

These kokeshi dolls originate in the hot spring area of Kuroishi City and are the most famous of Aomori

prefecture. At the beginning of the Taisho Era (1911-1925), Hidetaroo Mori 盛秀太郎began making

these dolls in the "Nuruyu Onsen" area, which enjoy a deep-rooted popularity even now.

There are many types of kokeshi dolls in the Tohoku region, and the Nuruyu stand out from amongst the

rest with their "Ainu" patterns, including the upturned eyebrows and menacing "Daruma" faces, painted

on the body, as well as the wide chest and rounded waists. The designs on the body of the dolls are also

said to be of the Tsugaru clan’s family crest, featuring the peony.

Currently, kokeshi doll artisans have gathered together to form the "Tsugaru Kokeshi Artisans Group,"

which focuses on continuing to create traditional, and new types, of dolls.

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Kokeshi from Hirosaki 弘前こけし

The name “Tsugaru Kokeshi” refers to all dolls produced in Kuroishi City, Owani Town, and Hirosaki City.

During the Meiji Era (1867-1911), wood carvers from the Tsugaru area met with those from outside of

the prefecture, and from those meetings, the kokeshi doll has become what it is today. The Hirosaki

kokeshi doll is grouped in with the Tsugaru kokeshi, which stemmed originally from the Owani kokeshi,

which is still produced today.

Along with Kokeshi dolls, top making and Daruma figurine production are among the popular

woodcrafts, loved by people of the Tsugaru region.

http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/h-kokeshi.htm (日本語)

http://www.hcci.or.jp/yeg/hirosaki/kokeshi.jpg

Kokeshi from Owani 大鰐温泉こけし

At the beginning of the Meiji Era (1867-1911), artisans living in the Nuruyu Onsen area, where the origin

of the Tsugaru kokeshi doll lies, moved to the Owani Onsen area, where they began sawing lumber,

which they eventually made into kokeshi dolls during the Taisho Era (1911-1925).

Owani Kokeshi dolls are broad-shouldered, with a straight and slender body, on which an iris pattern is

painted. The dolls have an innocent expression, evoking a feeling of warmth. The "zuguri" (tops) were

first produced at the same time as the kokeshi dolls, and these colourful toys were much-loved by the

children of the northern country.

http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/owani.htm

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

UTO Carved Daruma Figures

The "Uto" carved Daruma figurines were first created by Katsumi Kon, a strong promoter of the arts in

Aomori Prefecture. Inspired by Rodin’s works, he began creating the Darumas in 1921 in order further

the production of crafts in the prefecture. The artist named his work after the "uto" bird, which lived in

Aomori at that time. These figurines became well known from mid-1945s. They vary from 10 to 50 cm in

hight.

They are made from light and flexible poplar and Aomori cypress. A rough piece of wood is cut into a

triangular shape, then the face is slightly carved and painted. These Daruma figurines, which seem to

stare ahead, are characterized by their lean bodies and red clothing, setting them apart from most

Darumas that have chubby faces and round bodies. Their appearance suggests that of Buddhist

enlightenment, in which they have emerged from meditation and are about to step on to a higher path.

Pieces of wood that have naturally broken off from trees are used to produce these sculptures to create

a unique work of art.

http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/daruma.htm

Kokeshi are traditional Northeast

。 Kokeshi was born not too long from now 120-30 years ago, but was sold

at souvenir shops in the spa as a tool 手遊Bi children are said to spread

throughout the Northeast.

Below is an attempt to describe the characteristics oif each of the Kokeshi in

their area. However the rule are broken from time to time but these are still

the main (probably traditional) characteristics.

Tsugaru Kokeshi

（） (Aomori)

Hot water, Ohata, Hirosaki, Oowani

作Kimono shaped head and torso of the paint

to draw a wheel or a wheel barrel to put a

small black bobbed hair makes the picture

Nebuta (peony, snowman, etc.) and the Ainu

patterns slender body, spreading foot

Workers: Mori Hidetarou / Akira now

Tsugaru Kokeshiki

Mountain Kiji

（ (Akita)

, Yuzawa, Kubo, 小安

The cylinder head is fitted style bangs and red

手絡 (distinguished service)

Shallots shaped head and wearing a kimono

apron, the bottom of a flat crescent, round nose

body slightly broadest afar

Workers: Onodera Masanori / Ogura

Kyuutarou

Southern Hanamaki Kokeshi

） (Iwate Prefecture)

Hanamaki, Morioka, Tono, 横川目, Miyako,

一No関

） Inset expression dizzy head is moving

(Kinakinaoboko)

Shiraki, often with no pattern that has shaped

the face and body is similar to 遠刈田

Workers: Takahashi Kinzou /? ？ ? 真祠 True

Shrine

Hijiori Kokeshi

(Yamagata)

Hijiori, Sendai, Iwaki

A pebble in your neck and head into work in

the plug, cylinder head and shoulders pattern

Nadeshiko straight and tight to the sound wave

is superimposed Chrysanthemum 遠刈田, the

body is similar to Naruko

Workers: Shoichi Sato / Suzuki Kazuyuki

Ou Takazou Kokeshi

（ (Yamagata)

High water, 双月, 上No山, Yamagata, Onogawa, Atsumi,

Shakado, temple, Tendo, Tsuruoka

Work in body neck is thick plug, and a large crown of the

radial head and torso superimposed red chrysanthemums,

cherry breaking pattern double eyelids, nose dripping

Workers: Kazuo Akiyama / Sanshiro Ishiyama

Yamagata Kokeshi

（） (Yamagata, Miyagi)

Sendai, Sakunami, Yamagata, Yonezawa,

Tendo, Yachi, Sagae

Work in body neck is relatively thin, plug-in

or similar to is a chrysanthemum type

Sakunami Sendai, Yamagata pattern is often

broken nose plum

一 Workers: Suzuki Shiyoozi / Soekawa

Hazime

（） (Miyagi)

, Akiho, Nozoki, Yumoto, Yuda, Shiraishi,

Noboribetsu

） Plug does not work in your neck (which is

also built into rare)

Big head, bulging torso is loose

chrysanthemum thin layered, wood, break

down cherry, plum-shaped eyebrows and

Mikazuki, nose broken

Workers: Yusuke Sato Nirou Akira

Naruko Kokeshi

（ (Miyagi)

Naruko, Atsumi, Tsuruoka, Hanamaki,

Kanayama, Hiraizumi, house holidays, Akiho,

Sakunami, Sendai, Shiraishi

Inset neck expressions, body rings and the Kii

Kii chrysanthemum thin layers are primed in

the middle of the curved, maple, patterned

石竹

Workers: Okazaki Yasuo / Takashi Kakizawa

Eternal

Wataru Zirou Kokeshi

(Miyagi)

Wataru Zirou, Sendai, Kamisato,

thermohaline, linen, Atami, Onogawa,

Iizaka, Yugawa, Takasaki, Obara, where

sickle, Shiraishi, Teshikaga

Work in body neck plug directly in the crown

of most body fat Haya Hutoshi wheel wheel

pattern, flower, butterfly-shaped, large

yellow area

Workers: Etsuko Kamada / Defense ivy

Sat Aizu Kokeshi

） (Fukushima)

Tang Sat, Kawamata, Iizaka, Fukushima,

Takeshi, Nakanosawa, Tokyo

） Work in body neck swollen head plug is

slightly tapered at the center of annular

pattern, red shackles on both sides of big

bangs (skein)

」 Red, black, green, and those thin blue

Nakanosawa wheel pattern is known as

"shaved octopus"

Workers: Saitou Tokuzyu / Sato Toshiaki

Q: What does the word "Kokeshi" mean?

A: The name of this wooden doll varied from place to place. "Kideko" in Fukushima area, means Ki=wooden and Deko=a kind of puppet. "Kibouko" in Miyagi area, means Ki=wooden and Bouko (Houko)= stuffed crawled doll. "Kokeshi" is one of such locutions in Sendai area, would means Ko=wooden (or small) and Keshi=Keshi-ningyo, which Keshi-ningyo was a small doll made by terra cotta in Sendai area. The word of "Kokeshi" was just decided as a representative name of them by the Tokyo Kokeshi Collectors Club in 1940. The common meanings of those names are "Wooden small doll".

Q: What does the word "Kokeshi" mean?

A: The name of this wooden doll varied from place to place. "Kideko" in Fukushima area, means Ki=wooden and Deko=a kind of puppet. "Kibouko" in Miyagi area, means Ki=wooden and Bouko (Houko)= stuffed crawled doll. "Kokeshi" is one of such locutions in Sendai area, would means Ko=wooden (or small) and Keshi=Keshi-ningyo, which Keshi-ningyo was a small doll made by terra cotta in Sendai area. The word of "Kokeshi" was just decided as a representative name of them by the Tokyo Kokeshi

Collectors Club in 1940. The common meanings of those names are "Wooden small doll".

Q: I know there were various producers of Kokeshi. But where is the first place to produce "Kokeshi"?

A: It is not clear. Perhaps, Tohgatta, the east side of Zao mountain (Miyagi Prefecture) would be the original place to create Kokeshi, and the starting time would be Bunka-Bunsei (1,804 to 1,830) in Edo Era.

Other places, namely Tsuchiyu in Fukushima Prefecture and Narugo (Naruko) in Miyagi Prefecture also started to produce Kokeshi in Tenpo years (1,830 to 1,844) respectively.

Q: Does Kokeshi have a different form or shape per area of production?

A: Common characteristics are the doll made by woodturner, which doll has spherical head and cylindrical body without any hands and legs. But there are varieties of shapes and drawing patterns per area of production, and those variations are aligned with their phylogenetic history. Those are categorized into 10 or 11 groups. Generally, the categorization of 10 phylogenetic groups, i.e. Tsuchiyu Yajiro, Tohgatta, Zaotakayu, Hijiori, Sakunami, Naruko, Kijiyama, Nanbu, and Tsugaru, is popular. Someone separates Yamagata from Sakunami group as an independent group and categorize into 11 groups.

Q: Is this categorization also applicable at the beginning time, I mean at the end of Edo Era?

A: No. Originally it might be 3 groups, i.e. Tsuchiyu, East side of Zao Mountain, and Narugo. The one of technological innovations was essential to accelerate the diversification of shapes and patterns. This innovation was the technology of foot-operated turning, which was brought to Tohoku 1880s. Before this, only technology was the hand turning, which required two persons for the operation, i.e. carver and turner. On one hand, only one craftsman could operate the carving by hand and the turning by

foot with foot-operated turning machine

Tohgatta and Aone (another hot springs located 7 km west from Tohgatta) were the centers of this innovation in Tohoku. And many wood turners went to there to learn this new technology. It was some kind of school, and they learnt not only foot-operated turning but also learn how to use the new chemical dyes. They produced “Kokeshi” with more attractive

colors of yellow, green, purple on top of black and red.

Also, they started to color by using their turning machine, and they produced various spiral or ring patterns. They never tried to color with the hand turning, since two persons operation of coloring was inefficiency. This change encouraged craftsmen to bring out their originalities, and accelerated the diversification of shapes and patterns. They should have spent very exciting time in this school. The craftsmen went back their home hot springs and started to produce their own new style of "Kokeshi". This means that the categorization of 10 groups was established 1880s. Photos for The 10 Phylogenetic Groups.

Kokeshi body

of patterns, if

you fall into

two groups,

"the potter's

wheel

pattern" and

"floral" will.

Particular

"floral" is a

series

遠刈田,

Sakunami

system, Ou

Takazou hot

water system, Naruko system, Hijiori systems are widely distributed as a basic body of mountain shaped

wooden base.

。 Affected the pattern of the flowers Kokeshi, and lacquer ware, Imari, pottery and grinding feed, the

Aborigines are said to form a dam and Sagara, and Why Now, as the body of Kokeshi pattern, pick the

flowers, especially採Ri上Geta in terms of whether things are, etc. I have never been discussed 殆.

Flowers are painted as the preferred pattern of Kokeshi body, the background was willing to buy its

floral Kokeshi, perhaps, they had ties with the primitive and flowers Kokeshi.

"Language and Language ふ flowers, suddenly saying simply," Ho alley "are similar in meaning and sense

of place ふ 先触 supposed to prelude the saying is." (Origuti Nobuo "The Story of Flowers") flowers

things that bloom and full bloom, the spirits of the land, the harvest of the year, things were a flower

show in the form of a herald.

Kokeshi flower pattern, and if that falls into two categories, and an abstract style of 遠刈田, or become

a realistic style of Naruko. 抽Abstract graphic representation that is not always accurate, but in the

chrysanthemum 遠刈田 repeatedly, Ju Xu, much like the style of symmetrical chrysanthemum spar, and

to break down the cherry tree deformation, the same shape, the body from top to bottom, What stage

are you drawn neatly, as Naruko, a different floral forms, can be layered, with a flurry or that will be

distinct style. What about the fact that this style is one of the oldest is not clear.

Some Kokeshi Makers

Famous Artist from Nuruyu

Hidetaroo Mori (1895 – 1986) 盛秀太郎

He was born and lived all his life in Nuruyu as son of a family of wood craftsmen. He lost both parents at

an early age and endured many hardships with his relatives. He started making kokshi with a Daruma on

the body, mabye because his family was hit by many misfortunes, his eldest son lost an arm at work, his

younger son lost his eyesight and more.

One of his Daruma Dolls

Mori Hidatroo a pupil of the above did the dol on the left

Let me introduce two famous kokeshi makers from the area,

Yoshiki Satoo and Muchihide Abo.

Yoshiki Satoo 佐藤佳樹

He learned the craft from his father Zenji, a rather stern teacher, who told him “Do not think about

becoming a famous artist fast, but try to become a master craftsman in due course of time.” Some of his

Daruma kokeshi come with feet painted on the bottom but in the beginning his father told him: “It is still

too early for such an adventure.”

Triangular Kiji Daruma

From his father Zenji's repertoir: Two oogeling Daruma.

Muchihide Abo 阿保六知秀

Mr. Abo lives in Kuroishi, close to Hanamaki Town in Aomori prefecture.

When asked about the model for his dolls, he answered: “In the beginning, it was my own face, later

that of my wife and right now that of my daughter. But I have the feeling in the end I will be back to my

own face”. His teacher was the father of Mr. Satoo.

The colors of his dolls are quite vivid and unusual and the Daruma on the skirt looks quite fierce.

His Daruma in an apple is a typical product of Aomori, which is famous for its large apple plantations.

There will be more about Apple-Darumas in a different story.

There are many more of his kokeshi on this great page.

...................................................................

Yellow Daruma

Daruma Painted on Body.

Three dolls from the late Mr. Mori, with a typical body shape.

A little disheveled lady was made by Mr. Kitayama. 北山盛治作

http://hb2.seikyou.ne.jp/home/g-136/tugaru1.htm

Mr. Saito's current status is unknown.

Mr. Abe is one of the more expensive Tsuchiyu artists.

Mr. Niiyama passed in 1969 at the age of 82

Mr. Niiyama passed in 1987 at the age of 65.

Kouichi was trained by Bunichi (his father), and I believe he has passed. His wife, Umeko was born in

1928 and is still an active maker.

Mr. Kobayashi belongs to the Bunroku lineage. This line has been classified as both Hijiori and Togatta.

There is much confusion as to the "proper" family these belong and the reason follows:

Mr. Bunroku Sato was born in Togatta and went to Hijiori to work with Shusuke Sato. He then returned

to Togatta. Some researchers classify these has Hijiori including famous researcher, Mr. Tokio Shikama,

however, some members of this line consider themselves Togatta makers.

Mr. Umitani was born in 1905 and passed in 1985.

Mr. Okuyama passed in 1984 at the age of 78.

The Hiraga family is the "head" family in the Sakunami style kokeshi. Mr. Kenichi Hiraga was 7th

generation maker, dob, Sept. 14, 1943, passed in 2007

Mr. Igarashi was born in 1927 and appears to be the only active artist in this Tsugaru subsystem.

Mr. Takahashi passed in 2005 at the age of 88.

Mr. Sasaki often painted flowers on the head. This doll has round petaled flowers with two leaves on the

sides.

Mr. Sasaki was born June 5, 1933 and passed in 2007 or 2008. s.

Mr. Sasaki was born June 5, 1933 and passed in 2007 or 2008.

Mr. Okazaki was born on Feb. 23, 1935.

Mr. Ishiyama passed in 1993 at the age of 83.

Mr. Umeki was born in 1929.

Mr. Akiyama passed in 1984 at the age of 70 years.

Only the Onuma Iwatarou house is permitted to draw the wheel chrysanthemum. Probably like a

copyright issue.

Definitions

CLASSIC KOKESHI

The classics are the most familiar of all kokeshi. They have round heads and rounded body, (a few have elongated

bodies) and always wear a colorful kimono with a haori (jacket) or vest. The head is attached via a wooden peg

which allows it to nod or turn. They were finished with a coat of glossy varnish. Being 50+ years old, signs of aging

such as paint loss, crazing of the paint or varnish, whitening of varnish, scratches and dents are common to these

dolls. Unfortunately, the more paint colors used, the thicker the paint and the thicker the paint, the greater chance for

the paint to dry out and chip. That is why when a doll has chipping, it always seems to be in the most artistically

designed areas. Condition issues exceeding normal wear and tear will be so noted.

DARUMA

Daruma (Bodhidharma) was a Sage from India who lived in the 5th or 6th century, A.D. He is the founder of Zen

Buddhism. There are many stories and legends about him. One of the most famous is the reason he is seen without

legs or arms. He is said to have prayed or meditated for so many years that they fell off from non-use. It is said that

he cut off his eyelids as he was so angry at himself for dozing off during mediation, ergo his large eyes. Paper

mache daruma dolls often have no eyes drawn in. When you make a wish, you color in one eye and when it comes

true, you color in the other. Often seen in sets of 8 which represent 7 times down and 8 times up. He is also bottom

weighted so if knocked over, he rises back up. Placed inside the home, he symbolizes good luck and protection.

A female version of Daruma is called "Hime" or Princess Daruma.

The above is an extremely abreviated explanation but should give a little insight about the dolls listed in this

catalog.

KOKESHI

There are two types of kokeshi, the traditional kokeshi and the sosaku (creative) kokeshi. The traditional kokeshi

consists of 11 families and include a few offshoots of some of these main families. The creative kokeshi is

everything else. For the purposes of this site, the creative kokeshi has been broken down into additional categories,

including "classic" and "modern".

MODERN KOKESHI

The modern kokeshi (kindai kokeshi), although considered a sosaku (creative) kokeshi, are quite different in look

and feel than the vintage kokeshi. They are not fashioned after historic or folklore figures; they do not conform to

any particular shape or style. Many are female dolls, with large heads and "big" hair or "helmet hair" as I've seen

them referred. Often, the hair is a separate piece of wood that may be painted or left natural. This style started in the

1970's or a little earlier.

Most of the non-traditional dolls made today fall into this category and have been referred to as "Gumma" dolls as

the majority are made in Gumma. However, there are many different levels of qualtity within this group. The top

artists today, who's individual works are masterpieces, also create less expensive dolls so that everyone can enjoy

them.

PAPER MACHE (Hariko)

Paper mache originates in China. Samples of items have been found dating back to 202BC to 220AD. The

Japanese history of paper mache toy crafting goes back to the 17th century (early Edo period). Originally used as

ritual type objects to protect the children from evil spirits, today, still used as good luck charms. Many of the

techniques used today are unchanged from centuries ago as with many of the Japanese folk crafts. A specific

example of a well known Japanese paper mache toy is the Inuhariko (paper mache dog). The Inuhariko dates to

the late Edo period (1603-1868). They were created as toys for children but also placed next to women giving birth

as a good luck charm and to ensure a safe delivery. Today they are made much the same way and look the same as

they did 100+ years ago. Animals have always been a popular subject of the paper mache toys (cows, tigers, dogs

and cats) and, more recently, the 12 animals of the zodiac.

7 GODS OF FORTUNE (a.k.a. Shichifukujin, 7 gods of good fortune, 7 lucky gods)

A group of 7 dieties from Japanese folklore. There are specific characteristics associated with each one.

1. Ebisu - god of fishermen, depicted carrying a fishing pole and/or a fish

2. Daikokuten - god of wealth or prosperity, carries a magic mallet or treasure sack

3. Benzaiten - goddess of the arts (the only female), carries a lute

4. Hotei - god of happiness and contentment, depicted with an exposed stomach for it is said if you rub his belly, it

will bring good luck. He carries a bag of food and treasure

5. Fukurokuju - god of wisdom and longevity, carries a scroll which contains all the wisdom in the world

6. Jurojin - god of longevity, carries a staff or scroll which contains the secret to longevity

7. Bishamonten - god of war/warriors, carries a spear

Japanese Periods

Edo 1603-1868

Meiji 1868-1912

Taisho 1912-1926

Showa 1926-1989

Heisei 1989 - current

History of Kokeshi Wooden Dolls from Japan

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Little is known of the early history of Kokeshi Japanese Wooden Dolls. One school of thought

believes that Kokeshi dolls have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion. Wooden dolls

were thought to contain the spiritual essence of the dead and were often made for honorary

remembrance.

The modern history of Japanese Kokeshi dolls began in the latter part of the Edo Era (1603-

1867). Originating in the Tohiku region of northern Japan, famous for it's hot springs and

rejuvenating spa waters, Kokeshi Dolls acted as an important source of extra income for local

artisans known as Kijiya (which means woodworker in Japanese), who specialised in wood work

and the production of household utensils such as trays and wooden bowls. In severe winters these

Kijiya craftsmen began making "Kokeshi Dolls" to sell as souvenirs to visitors who frequented

the local hot springs. The dolls acted not only as souvenirs but also as massage tools used by the

bathers to tap their shoulders whilst enjoying the warming benefits of the hot springs.

The Kokeshi dolls were very simple in design, originally made on hand-powered lathes.

Traditional Kokeshi dolls had common characteristics that consisted of a basic cylindrical

limbless body and a round head. Though the first dolls might have been unpainted, today most

Kokeshi are painted in bright floral designs, kimonos, and other traditional patterns. Colors used

were red, yellow and purple. As all the dolls are hand painted, no two faces are alike. This is

perhaps the greatest charm of the Kokeshi. Some dolls are whimsical, happy and smiling, while

others are serious.

Soon their popularity spread throughout Japan and they became favoured as wooden toys for

those unable to afford porcelain dolls. In addition the simple rounded shapes of the dolls lent

themselves as early teething rings for young babies.

Kokeshi dolls traditionally represented young girls and they quickly became popular for their

depiction of feminine beauty. In addition their simple charm and association with childhood

meant that they were often given as gifts when a child was born, as birthday presents or as

symbols of remembrance when a child died. In addition Kokeshi Japanese Wooden Dolls were

popular with the children of farmers as it was widely thought that they would promise a good

harvest, as it was believed that it would create a positive impression on the gods if children

played with the dolls.

The woods used for Kokeshi vary. Cherry is distinguished by its darkness. Mizuko or dogwood

is softer and used extensively. Itaya-kaede, a Japanese maple is also used. The wood is left

outdoors to season for one to five years before it can be used to make a doll. Today, Kokeshi is

recognized as one of the traditional folk arts of Japan.

Despite their common features two schools of design exist, Traditional Kokeshi and Creative

Kokeshi.

Traditional Kokeshi are for the main part still only produced in the six prefectures of the Tohoku

region. The twelve schools of design here all exhibit distinctive features that allow experts to tell

exactly where they have been produced and often by whom.

Creative Kokeshi do not follow the traditional designs originating from the Tohoku region and

instead have an unstructured inspiration which is completely free in terms of shape and painting,

the only traditional constraint being their manufacture by means of the lathe. Unlike traditional

kokeshi, they do not display any of their distinctive local colour nor the techniques that had been

passed down through the generations. They simply represent the creative thought and ability of

the craftsman.

Traditional and Creative crafted dolls have become a cause for celebration in Tohoku and across

Japan. Every year, in early September, people gather in Naruko Onsen where craftsmen from

across the nation gather to honor Kokeshi in a competition where the number one prize is an

award from the Prime Minister.

There are many different styles of Kokeshi, but there is one philosophy that all Kokeshi dolls

share, and that is the pursuit of beauty and artistry through simplicity. This philosophy is extolled

at the website: www.dollsofjapan.co.uk

Ivor Conway has traveled extensively throughout Japan and was charmed by the Japanese art

form of Kokeshi. The website, http://www.dollsofjapan.co.uk, is a global resource intended to

further knowledge of these simple but elegant works of art.

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Beautiful Kokeshi Dolls: A Uniquely

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BEAUTIFUL

KOKESHI DOLLS

A UNIQUELY

JAPANESE FOLK ART

Naruko Dolls

Naruko kokeshi are

distinguished by

their sharp shoulders

and a head that,

when turned, makes

a squeaking sound.

This is the only doll

that does so. Some

of the newer ones

have rounded

shoulders like the

one on the left of the

screen.

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Kijiyama Dolls

Kijiyama dolls are

made from one piece

of wood and have a

very distinctive

pattern of kimono

and obi.

Nakanosawa Dolls

Nakanosawa dolls

are very distinctive

dolls due to their

atypical Japanese

eyes surrounded by

large, pink rims. This

doll was made in

tribute to a street

entertainer who

walked on his hands

with a pillow

between his knees

and had make up

similar to the faces

of these dolls. After

his death, people

wanted a doll in his

memory, so this doll

was “born”.

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Zao - Bikkuri Me

Dolls (Surprised

Eyes)

These are from the

Zao- Shiroishi onsen

(hot springs) and

have the

characteristic

surprised eyes. Very

cute.

Tsuchiyu Dolls

Tsuchiyu dolls are

easily identified by

their long, tubular,

round shouldered

shape and especially

by the striped

pattern on their

body. The heads

have a “bull’s eye”

circular pattern. This

will be explained

later. The largest doll

in the photo is the

only one with two

camellias on it , since

usually there is only

one. The dollmaker

said that this was the

only one he made

with two on it. How

lucky I was to have

found such a rare

doll!

Nambu-Hanamaki

Dolls

These dolls are

characteristic of the

Nambu area, lacking

any design or

painted color. The

largest one here has

two rings around the

base and the doll and

rings were made all

from one piece of

wood. The head is

often loose.

Sakunami Dolls

*Sakunami Kokeshi

Dolls

Tsugaru Dolls

These lovely dolls are

distinguished by the

Daruma pattern

painted on them

with stripes and

camellias. I asked

one of the

dollmakers why the

scary daruma was

painted on it and he

said it was to keep

evil spirits away from

children. These dolls

also have a “bust”

and waist. These

dolls tend to be

more expensive as

they are not so

common.

Togatta Dolls

The dolls from

Togatta are

recognized by the

very distinctive head

design with the red

petals along the

sides of the heads.

There are many

different designs

painted on the

bodies ranging from

diagonal red stripes,

flowers kimono

collars, and more.

Hijiori Dolls

These very

distinctive dolls have

a very heavy hairline

and “sanpaku” eyes

(three line eyes).

Made only by a

handful of

dollmakers they tend

to be more

expensive than most

kokeshi dolls

because there are so

few makers of this

style.

Oshin (Naruko)

Dolls

Oshin dolls are

designed after the

Naruko doll with

their distinctive

shoulders. These

pretty ladies were

made after a very

popular serialized

telvision program

featuring “Oshin,” a

poor woman who

overcomes hardships

to make a better life.

When the program

was finished, its

popularity among

the Asian community

created the demand

for a doll to be made

in the memory of

Oshin.

Yajiro Dolls

Yajiro dolls are easily

recognizable by their

signature waistline

and colors. This doll

has a dominant

yellow base for its

body with purple,

black, blue and red

designs. The various

patterns range from

stripes to flowers.

Some of these dolls

also have a topknot

hairdo.

Naruko Nemoriko

Dolls

Naruko “sitting” dolls

are called nemoriko

dolls, indicated by

the kimono

spreading around the

sitting person. Other

strains of kokeshi

also have the

nemoriko style.

Ejiko Dolls

Don’t overlook these

babies!!! These are

the babies in the

“baskets” (EJIKO) and

this is how the field

workers took their

babies to work with

them, by placing

them in baskets near

them as they

worked. All the ten

different types have

these ejiko dolls.

Daruma

These wonderful

little men are also

made by kokeshi

makers and some are

made as toys. The

daruma legend came

from India and it is

about a man who sat

on a wall and

worried about the

problems of the

world. He lost his

legs from non use

and his arms are

folded around

himself under his

gown. They are such

wonderful

creatures!! The ones

with the spinning

tops are used as dice,

and this is indicated

by the numbers and

directions (e.g.

North/south/east/w

est) painted on the

top. When the

spinning top stops

and tilts, it is read

like a dice.

The End

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Kokeshi dolls from Miyagi prefecture

In Miyagi there are 5 varieties of kokeshi, made in Naruko, Togatta, Yajiro, Sakunami and Hijiori. The production is the highest in Japan.

The Kokeshi Dolls - originated with a warm heart, abundant climate, and dexterous skill in Michinoku.With a gentle beam,they are inviting us to the five Kokeshi towns. Naruko Togatta Yajiro Sakunami Hijiori

Let us look at them in detail.

Kokeshi from Togatta (Toogatta

Togatta is maybe the most ancient birthplace of Kokeshi. The Nihon Kokeshi-Kan (Japanese Kokeshi Museum) in Naruko, the Kokeshi-no-Sato (Home of Kokeshi) and the Miyagi Zao Kokeshi-Kan (Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Museum) in Togatta displays the dolls. Kokeshi artisans perform workshops at Kokeshi-no-Sato, allowing you to watch the kokeshi making process. Kokeshi from Yajiro Yajiro Kokeshi are produced mainly in the village of Yajiro located about 1 km west of the Kamasaki Hot Spring of Shiroishi Town. They have their origin with Togatta Kokeshi. Today in Yajiro, the people live as half farmer and half artisan, farming the land from early spring to autumn and striving to produce Kokeshi from late autumn to spring when the icy chill moves off the river.

Kokeshi from Sakunami Sakunami Kokeshi have a relatively short history, and is considered that they were first produced in the early Meiji era. They are quite slender, so that children can hold them easily.

http://hb2.seikyou.ne.jp/home/g-136/yamagatamain.htm Kokeshi from Hijiori

The Hijiori design was developed in the Hijiori Hot Spring resort in Okura Village. The main colors for decoration are yellow, red and green and the eyes are carefully modelled. The Togatta design was combined with the Naruko design to produce the distinctive Hijiori Kokeshi. This design presently has the least number of the artisans. However, Shoichi, a third generation artisan, is creating ambitious pieces in Sendai. His inspiration comes from the master craftsman, Shusuke Sato, who was from Togatta and said to be the originator of Hijiori Kokeshi, and the second generation Minosuke.

Kokeshi from Nuruyu These kokeshi dolls originate in the hot spring area of Kuroishi City and are the most famous of Aomori

prefecture. At the beginning of the Taisho Era (1911-1925), Hidetaroo Mori 盛秀太郎began making

these dolls in the "Nuruyu Onsen" area, which enjoy a deep-rooted popularity even now. There are many types of kokeshi dolls in the Tohoku region, and the Nuruyu stand out from amongst the rest with their "Ainu" patterns, including the upturned eyebrows and menacing "Daruma" faces, painted on the body, as well as the wide chest and rounded waists. The designs on the body of the dolls are also said to be of the Tsugaru clan’s family crest, featuring the peony. Currently, kokeshi doll artisans have gathered together to form the "Tsugaru Kokeshi Artisans Group," which focuses on continuing to create traditional, and new types, of dolls.

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Kokeshi from Hirosaki 弘前こけし

The name “Tsugaru Kokeshi” refers to all dolls produced in Kuroishi City, Owani Town, and Hirosaki City. During the Meiji Era (1867-1911), wood carvers from the Tsugaru area met with those from outside of the prefecture, and from those meetings, the kokeshi doll has become what it is today. The Hirosaki kokeshi doll is grouped in with the Tsugaru kokeshi, which stemmed originally from the Owani kokeshi, which is still produced today. Along with Kokeshi dolls, top making and Daruma figurine production are among the popular woodcrafts, loved by people of the Tsugaru region.

http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/h-kokeshi.htm (日本語)

http://www.hcci.or.jp/yeg/hirosaki/kokeshi.jpg

Kokeshi from Owani 大鰐温泉こけし

At the beginning of the Meiji Era (1867-1911), artisans living in the Nuruyu Onsen area, where the origin of the Tsugaru kokeshi doll lies, moved to the Owani Onsen area, where they began sawing lumber, which they eventually made into kokeshi dolls during the Taisho Era (1911-1925). Owani Kokeshi dolls are broad-shouldered, with a straight and slender body, on which an iris pattern is painted. The dolls have an innocent expression, evoking a feeling of warmth. The "zuguri" (tops) were first produced at the same time as the kokeshi dolls, and these colourful toys were much-loved by the children of the northern country. http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/owani.htm ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

UTO Carved Daruma Figures

The "Uto" carved Daruma figurines were first created by Katsumi Kon, a strong promoter of the arts in Aomori Prefecture. Inspired by Rodin’s works, he began creating the Darumas in 1921 in order further the production of crafts in the prefecture. The artist named his work after the "uto" bird, which lived in Aomori at that time. These figurines became well known from mid-1945s. They vary from 10 to 50 cm in hight. They are made from light and flexible poplar and Aomori cypress. A rough piece of wood is cut into a triangular shape, then the face is slightly carved and painted. These Daruma figurines, which seem to stare ahead, are characterized by their lean bodies and red clothing, setting them apart from most Darumas that have chubby faces and round bodies. Their appearance suggests that of Buddhist enlightenment, in which they have emerged from meditation and are about to step on to a higher path. Pieces of wood that have naturally broken off from trees are used to produce these sculptures to create a unique work of art. http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/daruma.htm

Kokeshi are traditional Northeast 。 Kokeshi was born not too long from now 120-30 years ago, but was sold at souvenir shops in the spa as a tool 手遊Bi children are said to spread throughout the Northeast. Below is an attempt to describe the characteristics oif each of the Kokeshi in their area. However the rule are broken from time to time but these are still the main (probably traditional) characteristics.

Tsugaru Kokeshi

（） (Aomori) Hot water, Ohata, Hirosaki, Oowani 作Kimono shaped head and torso of the paint to draw a wheel or a wheel barrel to put a small black bobbed hair makes the picture Nebuta (peony, snowman, etc.) and the Ainu patterns slender body, spreading foot Workers: Mori Hidetarou / Akira now

Tsugaru Kokeshiki

Mountain Kiji

（ (Akita) , Yuzawa, Kubo, 小安 The cylinder head is fitted style bangs and red 手絡 (distinguished service) Shallots shaped head and wearing a kimono apron, the bottom of a flat crescent, round nose body slightly broadest afar Workers: Onodera Masanori / Ogura Kyuutarou

Southern Hanamaki Kokeshi

） (Iwate Prefecture) Hanamaki, Morioka, Tono, 横川目, Miyako, 一No関 ） Inset expression dizzy head is moving (Kinakinaoboko) Shiraki, often with no pattern that has shaped the face and body is similar to 遠刈田 Workers: Takahashi Kinzou /? ？ ? 真祠 True Shrine

Hijiori Kokeshi

(Yamagata) Hijiori, Sendai, Iwaki A pebble in your neck and head into work in the plug, cylinder head and shoulders pattern Nadeshiko straight and tight to the sound wave is superimposed Chrysanthemum 遠刈田, the body is similar to Naruko Workers: Shoichi Sato / Suzuki Kazuyuki

Ou Takazou Kokeshi

（ (Yamagata) High water, 双月, 上No山, Yamagata, Onogawa, Atsumi, Shakado, temple, Tendo, Tsuruoka Work in body neck is thick plug, and a large crown of the radial head and torso superimposed red chrysanthemums, cherry breaking pattern double eyelids, nose dripping Workers: Kazuo Akiyama / Sanshiro Ishiyama

Yamagata Kokeshi

（） (Yamagata, Miyagi) Sendai, Sakunami, Yamagata, Yonezawa, Tendo, Yachi, Sagae Work in body neck is relatively thin, plug-in or similar to is a chrysanthemum type Sakunami Sendai, Yamagata pattern is often broken nose plum 一 Workers: Suzuki Shiyoozi / Soekawa Hazime

（） (Miyagi) , Akiho, Nozoki, Yumoto, Yuda, Shiraishi, Noboribetsu ） Plug does not work in your neck (which is also built into rare) Big head, bulging torso is loose chrysanthemum thin layered, wood, break down cherry, plum-shaped eyebrows and Mikazuki, nose broken Workers: Yusuke Sato Nirou Akira

Naruko Kokeshi

（ (Miyagi) Naruko, Atsumi, Tsuruoka, Hanamaki, Kanayama, Hiraizumi, house holidays, Akiho, Sakunami, Sendai, Shiraishi Inset neck expressions, body rings and the Kii Kii chrysanthemum thin layers are primed in the middle of the curved, maple, patterned 石竹 Workers: Okazaki Yasuo / Takashi Kakizawa Eternal

Wataru Zirou Kokeshi

(Miyagi) Wataru Zirou, Sendai, Kamisato, thermohaline, linen, Atami, Onogawa, Iizaka, Yugawa, Takasaki, Obara, where sickle, Shiraishi, Teshikaga Work in body neck plug directly in the crown of most body fat Haya Hutoshi wheel wheel pattern, flower, butterfly-shaped, large yellow area Workers: Etsuko Kamada / Defense ivy

Sat Aizu Kokeshi

） (Fukushima) Tang Sat, Kawamata, Iizaka, Fukushima, Takeshi, Nakanosawa, Tokyo ） Work in body neck swollen head plug is slightly tapered at the center of annular pattern, red shackles on both sides of big bangs (skein) 」 Red, black, green, and those thin blue Nakanosawa wheel pattern is known as "shaved octopus" Workers: Saitou Tokuzyu / Sato Toshiaki

Q: What does the word "Kokeshi" mean?

A: The name of this wooden doll varied from place to place. "Kideko" in Fukushima area, means Ki=wooden and Deko=a kind of puppet. "Kibouko" in Miyagi area, means Ki=wooden and Bouko (Houko)= stuffed crawled doll. "Kokeshi" is one of such locutions in Sendai area, would means Ko=wooden (or small) and Keshi=Keshi-ningyo, which Keshi-ningyo was a small doll made by terra cotta in Sendai area. The word of "Kokeshi" was just decided as a representative name of them by the Tokyo Kokeshi Collectors Club in 1940. The common meanings of those names are "Wooden small doll".

Q: What does the word "Kokeshi" mean?

A: The name of this wooden doll varied from place to place. "Kideko" in Fukushima area, means Ki=wooden and Deko=a kind of puppet. "Kibouko" in Miyagi area, means Ki=wooden and Bouko (Houko)= stuffed crawled doll. "Kokeshi" is one of such locutions in Sendai area, would means Ko=wooden (or small) and Keshi=Keshi-ningyo, which Keshi-ningyo was a small doll made by terra cotta in Sendai area. The word of "Kokeshi" was just decided as a representative name of them by the Tokyo Kokeshi

Collectors Club in 1940. The common meanings of those names are "Wooden small doll".

Q: I know there were various producers of Kokeshi. But where is the first place to produce "Kokeshi"?

A: It is not clear. Perhaps, Tohgatta, the east side of Zao mountain (Miyagi Prefecture) would be the original place to create Kokeshi, and the starting time would be Bunka-Bunsei (1,804 to 1,830) in Edo Era.

Other places, namely Tsuchiyu in Fukushima Prefecture and Narugo (Naruko) in Miyagi Prefecture also started to produce Kokeshi in Tenpo years (1,830 to 1,844) respectively.

Q: Does Kokeshi have a different form or shape per area of production?

A: Common characteristics are the doll made by woodturner, which doll has spherical head and cylindrical body without any hands and legs. But there are varieties of shapes and drawing patterns per area of production, and those variations are aligned with their phylogenetic history. Those are categorized into 10 or 11 groups. Generally, the categorization of 10 phylogenetic groups, i.e. Tsuchiyu Yajiro, Tohgatta, Zaotakayu, Hijiori, Sakunami, Naruko, Kijiyama, Nanbu, and Tsugaru, is popular. Someone separates Yamagata from Sakunami group as an independent group and categorize into 11 groups.

Q: Is this categorization also applicable at the beginning time, I mean at the end of Edo Era?

A: No. Originally it might be 3 groups, i.e. Tsuchiyu, East side of Zao Mountain, and Narugo. The one of technological innovations was essential to accelerate the diversification of shapes and patterns. This innovation was the technology of foot-operated turning, which was brought to Tohoku 1880s. Before this, only technology was the hand turning, which required two persons for the operation, i.e. carver and turner. On one hand, only one craftsman could operate the carving by hand and the turning by

foot with foot-operated turning machine

Tohgatta and Aone (another hot springs located 7 km west from Tohgatta) were the centers of this innovation in Tohoku. And many wood turners went to there to learn this new technology. It was some kind of school, and they learnt not only foot-operated turning but also learn how to use the new chemical dyes. They produced “Kokeshi” with more attractive

colors of yellow, green, purple on top of black and red.

Also, they started to color by using their turning machine, and they produced various spiral or ring patterns. They never tried to color with the hand turning, since two persons operation of coloring was inefficiency. This change encouraged craftsmen to bring out their originalities, and accelerated the diversification of shapes and patterns. They should have spent very exciting time in this school. The craftsmen went back their home hot springs and started to produce their own new style of "Kokeshi". This means that the categorization of 10 groups was established 1880s. Photos for The 10 Phylogenetic Groups.

Kokeshi body of patterns, if you fall into two groups, "the potter's wheel pattern" and "floral" will. Particular "floral" is a series

遠刈田, Sakunami system, Ou Takazou hot

water system, Naruko system, Hijiori systems are widely distributed as a basic body of mountain shaped wooden base.

。 Affected the pattern of the flowers Kokeshi, and lacquer ware, Imari, pottery and grinding feed, the

Aborigines are said to form a dam and Sagara, and Why Now, as the body of Kokeshi pattern, pick the

flowers, especially採Ri上Geta in terms of whether things are, etc. I have never been discussed 殆.

Flowers are painted as the preferred pattern of Kokeshi body, the background was willing to buy its floral Kokeshi, perhaps, they had ties with the primitive and flowers Kokeshi.

"Language and Language ふ flowers, suddenly saying simply," Ho alley "are similar in meaning and sense

of place ふ 先触 supposed to prelude the saying is." (Origuti Nobuo "The Story of Flowers") flowers things that bloom and full bloom, the spirits of the land, the harvest of the year, things were a flower show in the form of a herald.

Kokeshi flower pattern, and if that falls into two categories, and an abstract style of 遠刈田, or become

a realistic style of Naruko. 抽Abstract graphic representation that is not always accurate, but in the

chrysanthemum 遠刈田 repeatedly, Ju Xu, much like the style of symmetrical chrysanthemum spar, and to break down the cherry tree deformation, the same shape, the body from top to bottom, What stage are you drawn neatly, as Naruko, a different floral forms, can be layered, with a flurry or that will be distinct style. What about the fact that this style is one of the oldest is not clear.

Some Kokeshi Makers

Famous Artist from Nuruyu

Hidetaroo Mori (1895 – 1986) 盛秀太郎

He was born and lived all his life in Nuruyu as son of a family of wood craftsmen. He lost both parents at an early age and endured many hardships with his relatives. He started making kokshi with a Daruma on the body, mabye because his family was hit by many misfortunes, his eldest son lost an arm at work, his younger son lost his eyesight and more.

One of his Daruma Dolls

Mori Hidatroo a pupil of the above did the dol on the left

Let me introduce two famous kokeshi makers from the area, Yoshiki Satoo and Muchihide Abo.

Yoshiki Satoo 佐藤佳樹

He learned the craft from his father Zenji, a rather stern teacher, who told him “Do not think about becoming a famous artist fast, but try to become a master craftsman in due course of time.” Some of his Daruma kokeshi come with feet painted on the bottom but in the beginning his father told him: “It is still too early for such an adventure.”

Triangular Kiji Daruma

From his father Zenji's repertoir: Two oogeling Daruma.

Muchihide Abo 阿保六知秀 Mr. Abo lives in Kuroishi, close to Hanamaki Town in Aomori prefecture. When asked about the model for his dolls, he answered: “In the beginning, it was my own face, later that of my wife and right now that of my daughter. But I have the feeling in the end I will be back to my own face”. His teacher was the father of Mr. Satoo. The colors of his dolls are quite vivid and unusual and the Daruma on the skirt looks quite fierce. His Daruma in an apple is a typical product of Aomori, which is famous for its large apple plantations. There will be more about Apple-Darumas in a different story. There are many more of his kokeshi on this great page. ...................................................................

Yellow Daruma

Daruma Painted on Body.

Three dolls from the late Mr. Mori, with a typical body shape.

A little disheveled lady was made by Mr. Kitayama. 北山盛治作

http://hb2.seikyou.ne.jp/home/g-136/tugaru1.htm

Japanese Vintage Unique Ainu Kokeshi Doll 254

ANTIQUE JAPANESE Wooden Doll KOKESHI "Ainu People" Husband and Wife

Japanese

Condition : Pre-Owned Size : About 4.7 inches

Kokeshi is Japanese traditional doll.

The Ainu (アイヌ) (also called Ezo in historical texts) are an indigenous ethnic group of Japan. Historically they spoke the Ainu language and related varieties and lived in

Hokkaidō, the Kuril Islands, and much of Sakhalin. Most of those who identify themselves as Ainu still live in this same region, though the exact number of living Ainu is unknown. This

is due to ethnic issues in Japan resulting in those with Ainu backgrounds hiding their identities and confusion over mixed heritages. Official estimates of the population are of

around 25,000, whilst unofficially the number is upwards of 200,000 people.

ANTIQUE JAPANESE Wooden Doll KOKESHI "Ainu People" Husband and Wife

Size : About 9 inches Weight 500g Each

Kokeshi is Japanese traditional doll. The Ainu (アイヌ) (also called Ezo in historical texts) are an indigenous ethnic group of

Japan. Historically they spoke the Ainu language and related varieties and lived in Hokkaidō, the Kuril Islands, and much of Sakhalin. Most of those who identify themselves

as Ainu still live in this same region, though the exact number of living Ainu is unknown. This is due to ethnic issues in Japan resulting in those with Ainu backgrounds hiding their

identities and confusion over mixed heritages. Official estimates of the population are of around 25,000, whilst unofficially the number is upwards of 200,000 people.

Vintage Husband and wife pairs

Japanese Old Wooden Ainu Doll Kokeshi Antique Height-15cm(5.9 in) Kannon

DETAILS OF ITEM

This piece measures 14 inches tall. Please scroll down this page to see enlargeable thumbnail photos of this piece. The Sosaku style Kokeshi dolls literally means "Creative Creations" and they are a type of wooden dolls made by turning on a lathe like the traditional Kokeshi dolls. The difference is that in general, Sosaku Kokeshi artists are trying to express a certain theme through designing dolls.

This piece depicts an image of Kannon Bosatsu and comes with two types of sutras, a Buddhist charm and a small wooden Kannon shaped talisman and they are all stored inside the Kokeshi piece when the fitted base is removed.

The large piece is a Buddhist sutra called the Hannya Shinkyo with a description and a translation in Japanese. It is the essence of the sutras, a body of scripts written during the early developmental stages of Buddhism. Hannya Shinkyo is one of the most popular sutra in Japan that ends with a special phrase believed to have strong power. Many people believe that magic can be accomplished by reciting this particular phrase.

Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra is a popular devotional text in Buddhism. It is often referred to as the Kannon Sutra or Kannongyo in Japanese. Despite the name, it is not an independent text, but simply a famous chapter in the larger Lotus Sutra. This particular chapter is the main introduction to one of the most popular Bodhisattvas in Buddhism, Avalokitesvara. It describes attributes of Kannon that are familiar Buddhists, such as his vows to help all beings who call on him, his ability to take on various forms to teach people, and his unwavering compassion to lead all beings to Enlightenment.

In the arena of Buddhist piety, no other Buddha is worshipped by as many people as is Kanzeon Bosatsu. As indicated by his name, Kanzeon Bosatsu (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) is the Bodhisattva Who Perceives the Sounds of the World. He made a vow to hear the voices of people and the sounds of the condition of the world to immediately grant salvation to the suffering and the afflicted, as well as dispel the evil and calamities that surround us.

The Kannon can appear in many different forms to save people according to their time and place. The Avalokitesvara Sutra mentions 33 specific forms and these manifestations are

commonly referred to as the 33 Keshin as it is shown in the small insert that came with the piece. This lovely Kokeshi Kannon can be referred as the 34th Keshin. A small Buddhist charm and a small wooden Kannon shaped talisman came with the set of Sutras.

Although there is no inscription attached to the piece, this particular Kannon Kokeshi was designed by Kato Kuen who is the top priest of Kannonji temple of Mt. Koya in Tohoku region. Though Kuen made the prototype of this Kannon Kokeshi originally, the Kokeshi dolls are now made by Horendo in Tokyo. The condition is very good and its age is from the 1970's.

Dharuma Dolls

Daruma Dolls

The Daruma good luck doll - buy one, paint in an eye and make a wish. When

your wish comes true, paint in the other eye. What is the significance of this

doll?

A simple stall lines the entrance to the shrine. Like the stalls for festivals and markets, the wooden

shelves are lined with traditional Japanese items and replicas for the discerning tourist. Unlike many of

the items for sale, one seems too insignificant for words and yet sells very well with everyone – the

daruma doll. For tourists, the doll is a cute, inexpensive and lightweight memento of Japan. For most of

them, the true history and significance of this doll remains a mystery although some shops do include

instructions and a very brief explanation.

Almost round in shape except for the flattened base, these simple, papier-mâché dolls painted red, with

white and black markings, seem too ordinary for words. Yet the Japanese (and the tourists) buy them

often in different sizes and from different places, painting in one eye and leaving them on a shelf in the

hope that one day they can paint in the other eye. What is the significance of this doll?

The history

Daruma dolls are said to represent the priest Bodhidharma, a 6th century Indian priest considered the

founder of Chinese Zen Buddhism. Bodhidharma is reputed to have spent 9 years meditating in a cave

and praying without moving or blinking his eyes until he lost the use of his arms and legs so the daruma

dolls do not have limbs or eyes. They are weighted at the base so that they do not fall over, reflecting

perseverance and success after misfortune that Bodhidharma strove to promote. The red is the red of

his priest robe and the name, daruma, is an abbreviated version of the priest's name.

The fantasy

New daruma do not have eyes painted on them as Bodhidharma used his inner vision rather than

'physical' sight. Instead, large white circles are painted onto the doll’s head There are two theories about

daruma eyes and luck. One claims that, when you make a wish, you should paint in the left eye (the left

one when you are facing the doll) and when the wish comes true you should paint in the other eye. The

other claims that, you should buy a daruma when something good happens to you and paint in one eye.

You paint in the other when the next lucky thing happens. You are also supposed to start with a small

daruma and buy slightly larger ones each time, taking the finished daruma to a shrine where it is burnt

with other daruma as an offering. This practice is particularly common at New Year where daruma

purchased the previous year are burnt at shrines and a new one is purchased for the incoming year.

Daruma are often bought before exams to hope for good luck, at New Year, hoping for success and

other major events and occasions. Certainly the most public displays are the enormous daruma

purchased by politicians who paint in one eye before an election and then, usually on television, paint in

the other eye when they have won.

In Japan there is even a common saying about daruma: "Seven times pushed over, the eighth time it

rises" (Nana (7) korobi (stumble), ya (8) oki (get up)). The daruma is intended to teach dedication and

persistence, to rise no matter how many times we stumble or fall - to never give up.

Whether the daruma doll actually does bring good luck or not, there is no question of its popularity.

Daruma fairs are held in Japan from the end of the year to March although you will find the dolls pretty

much anywhere in Japan at any time of the year. The two largest fairs are held at Takasaki in Gunma

Prefecture and at Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture. So, the next time you have the opportunity, buy one and

try out the luck for yourself!

Daruma Doll

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Daruma doll

Daruma dolls at Shorinzan temple, Takasaki, Japan

A Daruma doll with one eye filled in for wishing.

Daruma dolls (達磨 Daruma), also known as Dharma dolls, are hollow and round

Japanese wish dolls with no arms or legs, modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder

and first patriarch of Zen. Typical colors are red (most common), yellow, green, and

white. The doll has a face with a moustache and beard, but its eyes only contain the

color white. Using black ink, one fills in a single circular eye while thinking of a wish.

Should the wish later come true, the second eye is filled in. It is traditional to fill in

the right eye first; the left eye is left blank until the wish is fulfilled.

Characteristics

Because of their low centers of gravity, some types of Daruma doll return to the

upright position after being tilted to one side. As such, the Daruma has become

symbolic for optimism, persistence, and strong determination. The dolls are based

on an older kind of self-righting doll known as a "little roly-poly priest"

(起き上がり小法師 okiagari koboshi).

A 17th-century children's song describes the self-righting Daruma dolls of the time

as being much like their modern equivalents:

Hi ni! fu ni!

Fundan Daruma ga

Akai zukin kaburi sunmaita!

Once! Twice!

Ever the red-hooded Daruma

Heedlessly sits up again!

"Life falls down seven times, yet gets up eight... (Nana Korobi Ya Oki…)." This

popular Japanese proverb is commonly associated with the Indian Buddhist sage

Daruma. You can learn more about this proverb by reading your required textbook,

“Karate Technique And Spirit” by Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura (chapter 12 – Karate

Meditation Lectures).

Some dolls have written characters on the cheeks explaining the kind of wish or

desire the owner has in mind, such as protection of loved ones. The surname of the

owner may be written on the chin. Until the wish has been granted, the Daruma is

displayed in a high location in one's home, typically close to other significant

belongings such as a Butsudan (a Buddhist house altar). It is normal to own only a

single Daruma at a time.

Daruma dolls are typically purchased in or near Japanese Buddhist temples and

can range in price from 500 yen for small dolls (~5cm in height) to 10,000 yen or

more for the largest dolls (~60cm in height). If the Daruma doll was purchased within

a temple, the owner can return it for burning. Dolls purchased at a temple are often

marked; most temples will refuse to burn dolls not exhibiting the temple's mark.

Burning usually occurs at the year's end. This is done as a purification ritual to let

kami (spirit god) know that the wisher did not give up on the wish, but is on another

path to make it come true.

Daruma doll

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Daruma doll

The Daruma doll (達磨 daruma?), also known as a Dharma doll, is a hollow, round, Japanese

doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. These dolls, though

typically red and depicting a bearded man (Dharma), vary greatly in color and design depending

on region and artist. Though considered an omocha, meaning toy, Daruma has a design that is

rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese. Daruma dolls

are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of

encouragement. The doll has also been commercialized by many Buddhist temples to use

alongside goal setting.

History of Daruma doll In about the 5th century, DARUMA - Father of Zen Buddhism -

obtained realizing at the end when he sat for nine years toward the wall, and the teaching was

succeeded from generation to generation by apprentices, spread to China, and to Japan.

In 1697, Daruma-ji temple was founded by Priest Shinetsu to here Takasaki.

He drew The Zen meditation image of the DARUMA and it comes to be distributed at the New

Year of every year, and it is assumed that it is a start of the Takasaki Daruma doll.

About end of the 18th century, Yamagata Goro carved initial Daruma doll getting a hint from the

type by Priest Togaku, and he put Japanese paper on it afterwards.

At the Meiji era when the sericultural industry became active, Daruma doll was requested to pray

that they were able to harvest a lot of silk threads.

Afterwards, it arrived at the present age, and the tumbling doll became necessary indispensable

as guard that prayed for the business prosperity.

History and commercialization

The current popular symbolism associated with Daruma as a good luck charm in part originated

with the Daruma-dera (Temple of Daruma) in the city of Takasaki (Gunma Prefecture, north of

Tokyo). Josef Kyburz, Author of "Omocha": Things to Play (Or Not to Play) with, explained

that the founder of Daruma-Dera would draw New Year‟s charms depicting Bodhidharma. The

parishioners would keep these charms to "bring happiness and prosperity and ward off accidents

and misfortune".[6]

Daruma dolls at Shōrinzan Daruma-ji, Takasaki, Japan

It is believed that the Daruma figurine then originated from this region when the ninth priest,

Togaku, found a solution to handle the constant requests of the parishioners for new charms. The

charms were always given with an effectiveness of one year, so the people required new ones

every year. He solved this by entrusting them with the making of their own Daruma charms near

the beginning of the Meiwa Period (1764-72). The temple made wooden block molds for the

people to use. The peasants then used these molds to make three-dimensional papier-mâché

charms.[7]

Kyburz notes that though it is unknown when the Daruma figurine combined with

tumbler doll, the two were well recognized as synonymous by the mid-nineteenth century. The

doll quickly grew in popularity, becoming a mascot of the region. This was due greatly in part to

fact that the majority of the families were silk farmers, a crop which requires a great deal of luck

for success.[8]

Physical features and symbolism

Daruma‟s design, particularly the shape, color, eyes, and facial hair, each have its own history

and symbolic meaning.

[edit] Shape

Daruma's are still usually made of papier-mâché, have a round shape, are hollow, and weighted

at the bottom in a way that it will always return to a upright position when tilted over. In English,

this roly-poly style is called a “tumbler doll,” and in Japanese it is called “okiagari.” meaning to

get up (oki) and arise (agari). This characteristic has come to symbolize the ability to have

success, overcome adversity, and recover from misfortune.[10]

Due to this, Daruma is often illustrated alongside the phrase "Nanakorobi Yaoki," translated to

mean seven times down, Eight times up. This is seen in the popular culture on cards, banners,

and books. One example of this is Dr Alan Gettis' Book entitled, "Seven Times Down, Eight

Times Up: Landing on Your Feet in an Upside-down World." Recalling the Story of Daruma-san

in the introduction of his book, Dr. Gettis describes the phrase as "a call to never give up."[11]

The tumbler doll style is similar to an earlier toy called the Okiagari Koboshi, the little self-

righting monk which was popular in the Kinki region during the mid-seventeenth century. The

original okiagari toy, however, is said to have been introduced from Ming China around 1368-

1644.[12]

[edit] Color

Though it is not certain, the origins of Daruma‟s traditional red coloring are probably come from

the color of priest‟s robes. Reliable sources in English were hard to find, but one Japan-based

website cites his red as being the “color of the robe of a high-ranking priest.”[13]

The author then

concludes that “since Daruma was the founder of the Zen Sect, he must have worn a red robe.”

James T. Ulak, head of Collections and Research substantiated the history of Bodhidharma

paintings depicting him wearing lavish red robes, prior to ever being made into a doll, in his

article entitled Japanese Works in The Art Institute of Chicago.[14]

By virtue of his red robes,

Daruma has come to play a role in recovering from sickness. During the late Edo period (1600‟s

to 1868), red was believed to have a strong association to smallpox. Hartmut O. Rotermond,

author of Demonic Affliction or Contagious Disease?, describes that in Edo and surrounding

cities, there were many outbreaks of measles and smallpox. In present day Japan, there are many

red shrines dedicated to a God of Smallpox, which had a particular liking for red. These shrines

were built in response to those outbreaks.[15]

Believing that the God of smallpox, if pleased,

would spare the inflicted child, the Japanese would often stretch out ropes around the house

strung with red paper strips, have the child wear a red robe, and make a small altar for the God to

put talisman like Daruma figurines on.[16]

These precautions were also used to warn others that

sickness was in the house, and to encourage cleanliness around the sick. The red of Daruma,

however, was used to pacify the God, while the image of okiagari was to encourage the patient to

recover as quickly as they fell ill.[17]

Daruma can also be purchased in set of five colors called

“Goshiki Daruma.”

[edit] Eyes

A daruma doll with one eye filled in for wishing.

The eyes of Daruma are often blank when sold. Monte A. Greer, author of Daruma Eyes,

described the “oversized symmetrical round blank white eyes” as a means to keep track of goals

or big tasks and motivate them to work to the finish. The recipient of the doll fills in one eye

upon setting the goal, then the other upon fulfilling it. In this way, every time they see the one-

eyed Daruma, they recall the goal. One explanation how this custom started says that in order to

motivate Daruma-san to grant your wish, you promise to give him full sight once the goal is

accomplished. This custom has led to a phrase in Japanese translated as “Both Eyes Open."

Referencing to „opening‟ the second eye, it expresses the realization of a goal.[18]

Traditionally,

the Daruma was purchased as a household, and that only the head of the household would paint

in the eyes.[19]

The politicians during election time are a good example of this. Political parties are often seen at

their headquarters with large Daruma dolls and amulets purchased from local shrines as a prayer

for victory. This practice has been followed for some time and is highlighted in a 1967 article in

Time Magazine entitled Japan: The Right Eye of Daruma. After explaining the legend of

“complet[ing] the Daruma's missing eye as a symbol of gratitude for otherworldly intervention,”

the article recounts the following event: “Last week, in the Tokyo headquarters of Japan's ruling

Liberal Democratic Party, Premier Eisaku Sato dipped a sumi brush into an ink stone and with

swift strokes daubed in the dark right eye of his Daruma. „The eyes,‟ he remarked when he had

finished, „are as big as my own.‟” [20]

[edit] Facial Hair

Daruma‟s facial hair is a symbolic representation of the animals well known in Asian culture to

embody longevity, the crane and the tortoise. The eyebrows are in the shape of a crane, while the

cheek hair resembles the shell of the tortoise. A Japanese-based website states that originally,

there was a snake or dragon depicted across the moustache and cheeks, but was changed to

tortoise to emphasis the desire for longevity.[21]

In this way, Daruma was designed to match the

Japanese proverb “The crane lives 1000 years, the tortoise 10,000 years.”

Feminine Representations of Daruma

Daruma dolls also come in the form of Princess Daruma (姫だるま hime daruma?) and Lady

Daruma (女だるま onna daruma?). This contrasts greatly with traditional representations of

Dharma, who, accredited as the father of many martial arts, has traditionally been depicted as

very masculine with rough facial hair.[23]

H. Neill McFarland, Professor of Theology, discusses

the feminine representations of Bodhidharma in his article Feminine Motifs in Bodhidharma

Symbology in Japan. The answer to this anomaly lies in the social changes at the time,

developing in the Edo Period. The class distinctions placed the merchants at the bottom, who in

turn developed their own culture focusing on humor and poking fun at what those of higher class

held sacred. This is evident in the depiction of Dharma as a prostitute since prostitutes displayed

the same “okiagari” resilience. Famous pieces of art depicting Bodhidharma were also redrawn

with a woman in his place.[24]

With the inception of the Daruma doll, the Onna Daruma doll

quickly followed. Though the before mentioned examples of feminine motifs of Daruma were

satirical, the doll forms maintain the same wholesome image of a bringer of good luck.[25]

Watch this item

Small Vintage Japanese Doll - Daruma Floral Figurine

Description

This small plaster? Japanese figure is less than 20 years old and is in good condition with some

marks and scratches from handling. The figure is a tumbler doll with a weighted base which

allows the figure to right itself when tipped. The shape of the doll is very similar to a Japanese

Daruma figure. The figure has a loose ball inside which allows the doll to rattle when gently

shook.

"Life falls down seven times, yet gets up eight..." This popular Japanese proverb is commonly

associated with the Indian Buddhist sage Daruma. Daruma is the more familiar name of the

historical Buddhist monk Bodhidarma, who lived sometime during the fifth or sixth century AD.

Daruma is credited with the founding of the Zen sect of Buddhism, which he is reputed to have

introduced into China during his travels there. Some of the legends surrounding this figure

include tales that he achieved enlightenment or satori only after meditating in a cave for seven

years without blinking or moving his eyes. Another story tells that his enlightenment occurred

within a temple in China where he spent his seven years sitting in a room staring at a wall.

Apparently at some point during his long meditation Daruma became so overcome with fatigue

that he cut off his eyelids in anger and tossed them to the ground. These are reputed to have then

sprouted into China's first green tea plants! It is said that Daruma's long meditation caused his

arms and legs to wither and fall off, leaving him as an armless, legless and eyelidless (yet

enlightened) Bodhidarma... The Japanese love this story and admire Daruma for his spirit and

determination, and each new year many Japanese will buy a paper-mache Daruma tumbler doll

in order to enlist its services in helping them persevere towards their own goals or achievements.

The dolls are sold with unpainted eyes, allowing the new owner to paint in one eye to symbolize

the start of a new goal or venture. The doll is then placed in a prominent place within the home

or at work in order to remind the owner to keep after their aim. Japanese students especially

utilize Daruma to motivate them with their studies; placing a one-eyed Daruma before them on

their desk as motivation to work hard and make the grade. Only after the goal is achieved will

the owner then paint in the second eye, symbolizing a realized goal. Daruma dolls which have

completed their jobs as perseverance role models are normally then brought to a temple to be

burned during special ceremonies set aside for this purpose. The last images below are various

representations of Daruma found at a Zen temple near our home in Japan.

Size: Height: 2.0 inches (5.2 centimeters)

Weight: 0.6 ounces (17 grams)

Vintage Daruma Tumbler - Japan Zen Buddhist Bodhidarma

Description

"Life falls down seven times, yet gets up eight..." This popular Japanese proverb is commonly

associated with the Indian Buddhist sage Daruma. Daruma is the more familiar name of the

historical Buddhist monk Bodhidarma, who lived sometime during the fifth or sixth century AD.

Daruma is credited with the founding of the Zen sect of Buddhism, which he is reputed to have

introduced into China during his travels there. Some of the legends surrounding this figure

include tales that he achieved enlightenment or satori only after meditating in a cave for seven

years without blinking or moving his eyes. Another story tells that his enlightenment occurred

within a temple in China where he spent his seven years sitting in a room staring at a wall.

Apparently at some point during his long meditation Daruma became so overcome with fatigue

that he tore off his eyelids in anger and tossed them to the ground. These are reputed to have

then sprouted into China's first green tea plants! It is said that Daruma's long meditation caused

his arms and legs to wither and fall off, leaving him as an armless, legless and eyelidless (yet

enlightened) Bodhidarma... The Japanese love this story and admire Daruma for his spirit and

determination, and each new year many Japanese will buy a paper-mache Daruma tumbler doll

in order to enlist its services in helping them persevere towards their own goals. The dolls are

sold with unpainted eyes, allowing the new owner to paint in one eye to symbolize the start of a

new goal or venture. The doll is then placed in a prominent place within the home or at work in

order to remind the owner to keep after their aim. Japanese students especially utilize Daruma to

motivate them with their studies; placing a one-eyed Daruma before them on their desk to

remind them to work hard and make the grade. Only after the goal is achieved will the owner

then paint in the second eye, symbolizing a realized goal. Daruma dolls which have completed

their jobs as perseverance role models are normally then brought to a temple to be burned during

special ceremonies reserved for this purpose.

About the Listed Item

This ceramic Daruma tumbler is less than 40 years old and in fair condition with chips, marks

and scratches from handling and wears a darkened patina of age. Japanese writing is found on

the back of the figure and one eye has been painted in.

Size: Height: 2.7 inches (7.0 centimeters)

Weight: 2.9 ounces (84 grams)

Watch this item

Old Japanese Daruma Doll - Kimono Girl Ningyo Figurine

Description

This old Japanese doll is less than 40 years old and in fair condition with faded fabric as well as

marks and scratches from handling. The doll is designed to resemble a Daruma tumbler. Please

read below to learn more about Daruma.

Size: Height of figure: 2.9 inches (7.5 cm)

Weight: 1.7 ounces (48 grams)

Watch this item

Antique Daruma Buddhist Figure Japanese Zen Bodhidarma

Description

This unique and special ceramic Daruma figure is in good condition with no cracks though it

does have marks and scratches from handling and age. This Daruma figure dates from the early

to mid Japanese Showa period (1926-1989) and was acquired in the historic city of Shizuoka,

Japan near the foot of Mt. Fuji. Please read below to learn about the history and legend of

Daruma.

Size: Height: 3.7 inches (9.5 centimeters)

Weight: 5.3 ounces (152 grams)

Japanese Old Hime Daruma Doll

Height-5.2cm(2.05in) This Daruma doll is made of paper called the HARIKO.

ANTIQUE JAPANESE Wooden Doll KOKESHI

"Ainu People"

Japanese

Condition : Pre-Owned

Size : About 7" inches

Kokeshi is Japanese traditional doll.

The Ainu (アイヌ) (also called Ezo in historical texts) are an indigenous ethnic group of Japan.

Historically they spoke the Ainu language and related varieties and lived in Hokkaidō, the Kuril Islands,

and much of Sakhalin. Most of those who identify themselves as Ainu still live in this same region,

though the exact number of living Ainu is unknown. This is due to ethnic issues in Japan resulting in

those with Ainu backgrounds hiding their identities and confusion over mixed heritages. Official

estimates of the population are of around 25,000, whilst unofficially the number is upwards of 200,000

people.

This is a very nice pair of Vintage Ainu kokeshi. The Ainu are the aboriginal Japanese that were located

on the island of Hokkaido They are animist in thier beliefs and thier story is very similar to the American

indian experience. A must addition to any kokeshi collection, They stand about 7 1/2 inches tall. Thank

you for browsing in my store and looking at my auctions! I will happily combine shipping on most items,

but if it is a large breakable item, please email me before bidding as some items are just too fragile to

combine safely.

Mountain Lilly and Daruma Kokeshi 山百合だるまこけし

They come from Higashi Naruse Village in Akita prefecture.

Hidetaroo Mori (1895 – 1986) 盛秀太郎

He was born and lived all his life in Nuruyu as son of a family of wood craftsmen. He lost both parents at

an early age and endured many hardships with his relatives. He started making kokshi with a Daruma on

the body, mabye because his family was hit by many misfortunes, his eldest son lost an arm at work, his

younger son lost his eyesight and more.

一

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gabigreve2000/detail?.dir=/9fdd&.dnm=964c.jpg&.src=ph

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Left from Mori Hidetaroo, right from his pupil Okuse

ANTIQUE JAPANESE Wooden Doll KOKESHI

"Ainu People" Husband and Wife

Japanese

Condition : Pre-Owned

Size : About 9 inches

Weight 500g Each

Kokeshi is Japanese traditional doll.

The Ainu (アイヌ) (also called Ezo in historical texts) are an indigenous ethnic group of Japan.

Historically they spoke the Ainu language and related varieties and lived in Hokkaidō, the Kuril Islands,

and much of Sakhalin. Most of those who identify themselves as Ainu still live in this same region,

though the exact number of living Ainu is unknown. This is due to ethnic issues in Japan resulting in

those with Ainu backgrounds hiding their identities and confusion over mixed heritages. Official

estimates of the population are of around 25,000, whilst unofficially the number is upwards of 200,000

people.

ANTIQUE JAPANESE "KOKESHI" Wooden Doll Girl Large Size

Japanese KOKESHI

Signed on the back

Condition :

Pre-Owned has Some scratches, peeled.Vintage condition.

Size : About 12 inches tall

About 700g

Kokeshi (こけし), are Japanese dolls originally from northern Japan. They are

handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few

thin, painted lines to define the face. The body has a floral design painted in red,

black, and sometimes yellow, and covered with a layer of wax. One characteristic

of kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms or legs.

Japan Kokeshi Wooden Doll Ainu-style Naruko Ningyo Pair